Good Fruit Scripture Reading: Galatians 5:22 - 23

“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!"

 I don’t know about you, but one of my favorite things to eat is fresh fruit. Of almost any variety. Not just the store acquired kind, but that which is fresh, right off the vine, or the tree – perfectly made ready by the sunshine. Juicy, sweet, satisfying, wonderful to eat!

Something that can be most disappointing or may I even say down right disgusting is to bite into what you think is a perfectly good piece of fresh fruit only to find a worm, or that which is now inside of your mouth to be rotten. The few times that this has happened to me, I quickly spit it out and rinsed out my mouth.

Spiritually it also is true that things that may look good on the outside, don’t always tell the rest of the story. Truth be told is that anyone who has not come to Jesus Christ and been born-again by the Spirit of God are bound to the works of the flesh, which even those of us who are children of God need to guard against.

However, in Christ we have been changed from the inside out, implanted in the Vine that is Christ Jesus and because of this in the Person and power of the Holy Spirit now we can bring forth, ‘Good Fruit’.

First off and of primary importance we are called to show forth the love of God that is ours in Christ Jesus which is the greatest of all gifts. God also promises to allow His great joy to flow from our hearts and lives encouraging and building up others. We will be those who know, grow and show forth the peace of God that is not based upon our situation or circumstance, but upon our Lord Jesus Christ. There will be a patience that flows from our lives that can only be described as other worldly. Even towards those who use or try to abuse us we will show forth the kindness of God bidding them to come taste and see that the Lord is good. We will continue to be faithful to the calling of God on our lives in and through each and every season. Rather than biting back and fighting we will stand in the gentleness and calmness of God. And by the grace of God and for His greater glory, we will show self-control. In doing all of these things we will be proving that we are in the Vine, being ripened by the Son, for His good pleasure.

So press on my brother and sister, for these things look really good on you! 

Prayer Heavenly Father I thank-You that I am a new creation in Christ Jesus. Holy Spirit fill me today and continue to flow through my heart and life bearing Your fruit to the greater honor and glory of Jesus Christ my Savior and Lord. 

Memory Verse: Romans 1:11 “For I long to visit you so I can bring you some spiritual gift that will help you grow strong in the Lord.”