Fresh Fruit

Heart to Heart from the Housewrights…

                                                       

So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law….So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses. When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.

Galatians 5:1; 16-25 (NLT)

Anyone else purchased any fruit recently? Do you, like us, take a moment to touch it, press it, sniff it, check it out and make sure it’s fresh? Or, are we the only ones, and you walk by us in the local store and just shake your head and wag your finger at people who take precautions to not buy rotten fruit?

Freshness in our food is critical. It keeps us healthy, keeps the human body functioning at peak performance, elevates moods, and creates an opportunity for general well being.

Rotten food? Ugh, throw it out!

Well, if this is true of food - how much more so when it comes to the spiritual fruit of people!

The world is in dire need of fresh fruit from God’s people. But, just what does that mean?

What is spiritual fruit? In regards to Paul’s letter to the fellowship in Galatia, the question ought to be phrased in the plural: What are fruits of a follower of Jesus?

Thankfully, the New Testament offers us specific answers to the question. And, Charles Ryrie, known for the Ryrie Study Bible, and author of So Great Salvation gives the following information which is helpful in learning about the fruit/fruits of the Spirit of God.

Firstly, Christians are, by name, followers of Christ. And Christ has commanded those who love him to follow him. To be like him. Therefore, “if the goal of the Christian life may be stated as Christlikeness, then surely every trait developed in us that reflects His character must be fruit that is very pleasing to Him. Paul describes the fruit of the Spirit in nine terms in Galatians 5:22-23, and Peter urges the development of seven accompaniments to faith in order that we might be fruitful (2 Peter 1:5-8). Two of these terms are common to both lists: love and self-control. The others are joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, virtue, knowledge, endurance, piety, and brotherly love. To show these character traits is to bear fruit in one's life.”

Secondly, if we produce a Christ-like character it will “result in right conduct, and as we live a life of good works we produce fruit (Colossians 1:10). This goes hand in hand with increasing in the knowledge of God, for as we learn what pleases Him, our fruitful works become more and more conformed to that knowledge.” Think of it this way, as you read the Gospel accounts we learn what it means to be a disciple/follower of Christ. That knowledge then fosters change in our thinking and behavior - which then brings freshness to the lives of the people all around us. Consider the addict who goes through recovery and is now a changed person - what a difference the fruit they are now bearing makes in their life and the lives of those who love them!

Thirdly, the fruit which we produce is to be “consumed” by the people around us and bring life and health to them. To a world without hope, love, grace or mercy, our fruit is the joy which brings light that overcomes the darkness. Therefore, “those who come to Christ through our witness are fruit. Paul longed to go to Rome to have some fruit from his ministry there (Romans 1:13), and he characterized the conversion of the household of Stephanas as the first fruits of Achaia (I Corinthians 16:15).” Fresh fruit creates new life. Not for us - but for others as well.

Fourthly, “we may also bear fruit with our lips by giving praise to God and thankfully confessing His name (Hebrews 13:15). In other words, our lips bear fruit when we offer thankful acknowledgement to the name of God. And this is something we should do continually.” Want others to truly believe you have changed - change your language. “For out of the mouth flows the issues of the heart…”

Fifthly, we bear beneficial fruit when we give. It may be a sensitive subject to some but the “love of/greed for money is the root of all evil.” Hence, if we are to follow Jesus and bear fruit befitting such a relationship…our money will be his and his alone. It is not what we earn. It is what he has provided. It is not our retirement. It is his to bless others. It is not that extra car we think we might need…it is the car we give to someone else who has none. “Paul designated the collection of money for the poorer saints in Jerusalem as fruit (Romans 15:28). Too, when he thanked the Philippians for their financial support of his ministry, he said that their act of giving brought fruit to their account (Philippians 4:17).” (Charles Ryrie, So Great Salvation, Victor Books, 1989, pp. 49-50.)

Fresh fruit. It’s not just found at the grocery store or fruit stand!