Where’s The Fruit?

 

Galatians 5:22, 23 

 

     But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 

23 Meekness, temperance; against such there is no law. KJV

 

   There’s a natural sweetness to fruit that cannot be reproduced. I always look forward to the time the sweet, juicy peaches ripen and are in the fruit stands. My husband often stops at a fruit and vegetable stand when we go on vacation. He enjoys the vegetables… I make a beeline for the fruit.

 

     I simply can’t resist the peaches. The pink blush and sweet scent tells me they’re ripe and ready to eat. They make the best jellies, pies, and tarts; and simply peeled and sliced they make my mouth water.

 

     Just as the fruit grows and ripens to the sweet scent and taste, there’s sweetness about a true born-again believer. As he or she grows in their walk with Jesus, we should see the ‘spiritual fruit’ produced by the changes in their life. These changes are not ones an individual can make on their own, they are changes made by the Holy Spirit, and the Word working in and through them.

 

     The fruit on the peach tree starts out green, a bit bitter to the taste, and rather small. But under the right conditions, the fruit grows and becomes ripe and sweet. So it is with a new Christian.  We did not start out so sweet. Some may have even been bitter from life’s circumstances. But as the Holy Spirit does his work in the new believer, they grow, and over time, reach maturity and the fruit is visible.

 

     This process does not take place overnight, but is an ongoing one. Yet, I do believe that we should see a visible change in the life of a Christian, and our lives should begin to bear fruit. If not, I would seriously search my heart and ask the question, “Where’s The Fruit?”

 

 

© 2005 Marie Williams