In the 1980’s commercial series for Wendy’s we learned the phrase, “Where’s the Beef?” If you saw those commercials, you can still see the cranky senior ladies and hear the cry.
I issue a challenge to you, “where’s the fruit?”
Jesus issued a clear challenge, “bear much fruit.” (John 15:5)
John 15:5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
You are to bear fruit…good fruit…much fruit. The secret to bearing fruit is to remain connected to the Spirit. By staying connected we experience the Spirit flowing through us. He enables us to bear fruit.
There is a problem, however. We face an ongoing battle. Our flesh and His Spirit wage an ongoing struggle within us. Paul contrasted their ways and the struggle in Galatians 5:16-18.
Galatians 5:16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
The command is clear. Walk in the way of the Spirit. The flesh will lead us away from the Spirit. We choose a side. Either we follow the way of the flesh or the way of the Spirit. The flesh is described as the attitudes and actions against God.
Paul further clarified the works of the flesh in Galatians 5:19-21.
19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
We dare not read this list too quickly. Look again and identify the areas where you struggle with the old life. Oh, you may have some areas in which you have been faithful. Idolatry and witchcraft may be far from you. But are fits of rage? Do you avoid selfish ambition? Do you rise above factions and envy?
We may stumble in these areas, but we do not stay there. The only ones who stay in pig pens are pigs. We are not to be characterized by these conducts.
Before proceeding to talk about the fruit we should have, one more word about this list. Like so many times in Scripture we are told that those who are characterized by sinful lives will not inherit the kingdom. That is truth!
Thankfully, we are washed in the blood of Jesus. We are now forgiven and free. Heaven is our home. Jesus is our Savior. God is our Father.
How do we keep going back? We forget that we are in the battle. We do not yield to the Spirit. We yield to the flesh and fall back.
Paul challenges us by saying that our fruit should have nine characteristics.
Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Look again at this passage and you will see that Paul uses a singular fruit. Each of these described words picture part of the Spirit’s fruit. We cannot separate one part from the others. Each one of these are commanded in Scripture. They require strenuous effort over time.
This week I complete the second part of a study on the fruit of the Spirit. You can look at last week’s blog for a study on the love, joy, and peace aspects of the fruit. You may read that blog at www.calvarybaptistperryville.com .
Christians must have fruit that demonstrates forbearance.
This word is often translated as patience, or endurance. This characteristic speaks of someone who is enduring affliction by others. We put up with the struggles of others even when we are severely tried.
We refuse to retaliate against others, even when such retribution would be justified. Our temper is under control.
We may not be there now, but we allow the Spirit to flow through us. James said that patience will yield its fruit. He said, “Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:4)
The fruit of the Spirit must generate kindness.
This word speaks of uprightness and generosity. It is a genuine concern for the well-being of others. It is an intentional thoughtfulness of others.
Paul speaks of the love that suffers long and is kind. (1 Corinthians 13:4) A famous Rabbi describes kindness as, “The inability to remain at ease in the presence of a person who is ill at ease.”
The Spirit brings fruit modeling goodness.
Goodness describes situations when the recipient merits nothing. We do something for the benefit of another person for no other reason than that we choose to be good. Kindness is love in action.
The Spirit produces fruit encouraging faithfulness.
Faithfulness is also translated trustworthiness and reliability. A Spirit led Christian can be trusted. We must be faithful to do what we say we will do. Faithfulness is manifested in action.
Spiritual fruit reveals itself in gentleness.
Gentleness is translated as meekness. The word itself is not translated weakness. Like a powerful colt, the Christian has power living within us. We reign our spiritual power in bringing spiritual gain to those around us.
Christians are to be meek:
- Before God (1 Peter 5:6). We know who we are considering who He is.
- Before Scriptures. Be teachable.
- Before each other (1 Peter 5:5). We place others before ourselves.
- Regarding talents (1 Cor 3:7, 15:10). We know that our gifts come from God.
Finally, the Spirit brings fruit causing us to be self-controlled.
We are to control ourselves. Specifically, we are to control:
- Our emotions (Prov 16:23)
- Our Bodies (Romans 6:12)
- Our thoughts (2 Cor 10:5, Psalm 139:2-4, Phil 4:8)
- Our tongues (Matthew 12:34-36, James 1:26, Psalm 19:14)
So how do we bear fruit?
We manifest the fruit of the Spirit by maintaining a vital connection to God. He flows His power through us.
We commit ourselves to continue growing as Peter commanded.
2 Peter 1:5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
We never settle for where we are spiritually. Our fruit must always be growing.
