Bearing Fruit

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."
Galatians 5:22&23

The New Testament talks a lot about fruit. Jesus said that you know a good tree because of the fruit it produces. In the same way, you know Christians by the fruit that is produced in their lives. A surefire way to recognize a Spirit-empowered follower of Christ is to look at the fruit produced in their lives. this fruit however, comes in greater abundance as the Christian learns obedience, faith, and commitment. All of us are called to have the fruit of the Spirit resident in our lives. It is the mark of a growing disciple.
    The emphasis of this scripture is love. In fact, the verse can be interpreted this way: "The fruit of the Spirit is love, and love is manifested through joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." In other words, if we are people who are full of love, it will be visible through these other character traits. I do not write this to condemn us. I know many will look at these things and say, as I do, that they fall short of really displaying these virtues. but what is important is this: Fruit is produced from a growing, life-filled plant. If we are growing and full of the life of Christ, we will bear fruit. Jesus told us that people would know we are his disciples by our love for one another. So we need to be people who are full of God's love.
    The word 'love' is often thrown around with carelessness. It has almost become a mindless catch phrase to say, "Love you," or "Nothing but love for you." I often tell my wife, kids and grand kids that I love them. But I realize that there must be something behind the words. They must see that I love them through what I do. This is true for all of us. If we are going to speak the words, we should be living them.
    Today, think about the fruit of the Spirit. Are you really full of God's love? Are others seeing this love through your actions? Live a life of love. Allow that love to compel you to good works. Speak kindly to someone who irritates you. Go out of your way to act kindly to the demanding customer. Show patience with the family member who continues to act selfishly. These are a few of the ways that we display the perfect Christ to the world. Let love become the first filter through which you look at others. Do this, and your eyes will be opened to the beauty in people. And the fruit of the Spirit will flourish.