Love That Fruit!!

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,

longsuffering, gentleness, goodness,

faith, meekness, temperance:

against such there is no law.

Galatians 5:22-23

For a time, our family lived in the same town as my Daddy's parents. I loved spending time with Grandma Benbrook. I was probably around 5 years of age when she passed away, and her death was a real loss to me. She always had fun things we could do together when I went to her house. We would pick veggies from the garden together and would also gather eggs from the hen house. Across the street in a vacant lot, there were raspberry bushes where we would pick berries for her to bake cobblers. There was also a cherry tree in her backyard and when in season, lots of cherries were used in pies and jellies. (In her 50's, Grandma climbed up into her cherry tree and fell to the ground breaking a hip. Two years ago I found myself up one of our trees trimming branches and thought of her and smiled.) All of these fruits are of course great to the taste and tummy along with other fruit favorites I could mention.

Scripture speaks of fruit also, one of the main places being Galatians 5:22-23. The fruits mentioned in these verses aren't fruits that can be made into pies, cobblers, fruit salads or juices. These fruits can't be picked off of bushes, from trees or off the ground. They can't be eaten and enjoyed physically. The blending of the various elements that make up spiritual fruit can be evidenced in the lives of born again believers. These elements are not even considered individual fruits because they are referred to as being the FRUIT minus an S on the end. This spiritual fruit is not fruit that can be purchased or picked. This fruit becomes a part of you and me through a relationship with Jesus Christ. There are no shortcuts, this fruit is never on sale. These are qualities that should be more and more evident in our lives as our relationship with the Lord grows.

These different virtues that make up the fruit of the Spirit can be narrowed down into three areas that might give us some perspective.

Christian virtues: love, joy, peace

These virtues are available to us upon salvation. We are told in Scripture that love is of God, and that we have joy unspeakable and full of glory. Jesus said He gives us peace and not the peace the world has to offer. These three elements of the fruit of the Spirit are foundational for all other spiritual assets God wants to grow in our lives.

Social virtues: longsuffering, gentleness, goodness

This will be obvious in our relationships with others. How patient am I with others and is there a tenderness or gentleness in my life as I relate with others. Do people in general see goodness in my life that can be viewed in my own good behavior or in how I treat others in a goodly manner.

Personal virtues: faith, meekness, temperance

In this area we find virtues that are very personal. Only I know what the faith level is in my own life. Only I know if there is true meekness in my life or if I am putting on a show before others. I have to live day by day knowing my level of personal self control. These elements may come through in one way or another to others but only I really know where I am in these three areas.

All of these virtues make up the Fruit of the (Holy) Spirit. Let's not forget where this fruit comes from. These are not viable spiritual virtues in the life of the unsaved. However, I hurry to say and to some shame that we may know unsaved people who seem to have some of these virtues in their lives more than do some Christians. However, the virtues of the unsaved may look good for a time, but are as phony as decorator fruit in a bowl on a dining room table. It is mostly for show.

These virtues that make up our Fruit of the Spirit should serve for you and me as a check list. At no time am I where I want to be in all of these areas of my spiritual walk. Where I am lacking, I need to make those things a matter of prayer to be strengthened so that I will be a greater witness and influence for Christ.

Let me digress and leave you with a wonderful fruit salad recipe that is so refreshing in these summer days. It is easy with several elements, but that makes up a:

FRUIT (no S) SALAD

Ingredients:

2 lg cans chunk pineapple

4 small cans mandarin oranges (drained)

1 jar maraschino cherries (drained & rinsed)

3 bananas

Instant vanilla pudding (1 lg or 2 small pkgs.)

Mix pudding in pineapple juice

Add all fruits and mix well

Slice bananas and add just before serving

You may add or subtract as much fruit as you like

depending on your personal likes.

Some people add 1 cup of whole pecans.

In these summer days may we enjoy the physical fruits of the season. At the same time, may we evaluate where we are in our relationship with the Holy Spirit as He desires to work in and through us. Remember that He will always point us to Jesus, who is the epitome of each virtue found in the Fruit of the Spirit.

Dear Father...Thank You for equipping me in my spiritual walk with You. Thank for Jesus dying for me and for You sending Your Holy Spirit after You returned to Heaven. I am so blessed but I know I am also responsible to You for living a fruitful life that is honoring to You. Strengthen me in my walk as I want to be authentic in my witness for You. I love You. Amen