Got Fruit?

It’s assured to us in the scriptures that if we are in right relationship with the Lord, we will bear fruit as a result. The Spirit of the Lord has been planted inside of us if we are followers after Jesus Christ, and the more we nurture our personal relationship with Him, the more we “abide” in Him, the more healthy the fruit that comes about and grows as a result.

That fruit is pretty obvious in some ways for others to see too, Yet, if we are truly striving to be the brightest light possible for Jesus around the world, we must be intentional about it. It’s far too easy for us to just hoard all the fruit to ourselves otherwise.

I don’t know about you, but sometimes, I feel pretty daunted about that. Again, Jesus naturally spills out of us if we are spending the time with Him that we should, keeping the priorities straight (Him first, yo), and praying as much as possible. But so often, I find myself not being active enough in how I interact with others around me and endeavor to let Jesus shine through to the fullest.

Fact is, that means I’m being lazy about it all. I’m walking around thinking if I am nice, caring, compassionate, and friendly, that that’s enough. Is there ever a cap that should be placed upon the juices that flow from the fruit of the Spirit and the way we allow it to impact others for Christ?

I don’t think so at all.

So, this week, rather than continue to feel daunted about it, or allow myself to be lax about it, I have decided to use the spiritual gifts that Jesus has provided to me in order to shine His light even more actively. And if something happens in the process that interrupts this plan, then so be it. Right now, however, the Spirit of the Lord has been whispering to me that I ought to try something out.

Check out that scripture contained in the image I placed above just one more time:

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. ²⁴ Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. ²⁵ Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-25

So beautiful, yet so overwhelming at the same time. To even imagine all of these things spilling out of me simultaneously just blows my mind.

Of course, part of that is due to the fact that it’s important to remember that we can’t do this of our own human power. It must be a spillover of Christ and His Spirit flowing out   from inside of us out to others. This comes from His power, His love, His everything.

But I am still going to take this part of scripture and focus upon it piece by piece in relation to what I pray for, endeavor to act out and display, and study in the coming weeks.

This week, my focus will be on love and joy.

Do I feel these in my heart? Do I know these in my life regardless of “feelings?”

What does the scripture say about these two very important pieces of spirituual fruit?

How did Jesus show this in His day to day life?

How am I showing it in mine?

Where am I falling short?

How do I see others displaying these around me?

I plan to report back to you, my friends as to what I see around me – both within myself and others with whom I interact this week in regard to love and joy. Maybe you would like to join me? I would really love the company.

Let’s share the fruit that Jesus is bringing about in our lives in relation to this love and joy this week and actively look for it coming from others as well. I’m looking forward to seeing what God can do and will reveal to us as we are paying even closer attention to it!

Be blessed and be a blessing this week. Just as you already are!

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