The Fruit of the Spirit

     On Friday, Jesus reminded us that He is the vine and we are the branches and apart from Him we can do nothing. The Father is the gardener and, as any good gardener would, He cuts off unhealthy branches and prunes others in order to produce more healthy fruit. What is the fruit of the Spirit?  The Bible is clear on just exactly what the fruit is:

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

     Did you notice these verses begin with the fruit of the Spirit, not fruits? The seeds of this fruit are planted in us. As we continue to grow in the things of the Spirit that Gardener of ours pulls out some of the seed-eating weeds and we grow in this precious fruit.

    The fruit is made within us to be shared. Tomorrow we will begin with love. That is where everything begins with Jesus. In the meantime, don’t be afraid of the pruning shears or even the ax. Trim a bit of temper here, a bit of bitterness there, and chop off that huge cheating limb. It’s all for our own good, even when it hurts. Jesus produces only the best fruit.

Dear Jesus,

Teach us more about Your fruit in the weeks to come. Help us to grow in the fruit of the Spirit. Most of all, help us to trust You to know what is best as we continue to walk in step with the Spirit.

Amen