Fruit Of The Spirit Series

Theme: Fruit of the Spirit

Text: John 15:1-8,16 & Galatians 5:22-24

Greetings

The Lord is good; his love endures forever. I greet you all in the name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Let me draw your attention to the portions read to us from John 15:1-8 & Galatians 5:22-24. Let me leave with you three thoughts about the fruit. I mean the fruit of the Spirit of God for our future meditations.

• Fruit of the Spirit

• Secrets of Fruit-bearing

• Slices of the Fruit.

1. Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22. a).

Paul wrote this passage to emphasize the believers' community living, peaceful existence in and outside the Church fellowships. The freedom enjoyed in Christ through the Spirit of God is not for personal satisfaction but the peaceful coexistence of all. So, Paul mentioned the fruit of the Spirit of God rather than the fruits of the Spirit of God. It does not refer to the fruits in the Spirit of God. But, the fruit of the Spirit of God varieties of its characters is brought under one umbrella.

Bear fruit in keeping with repentance (Matthew 3:8, Luke 3:8), produce the fruit of the Kingdom of God (Matthew 21:43), bring out good fruit (Matthew 3:10, 7:17-19), show the fruit of your kind and people will Know them by your fruits. A tree has known by its fruits (Matthew 7:16,20, 12:33, Luke 6:43-44). Our flesh produces the fruit of death. It has a relation with the lust of the flesh and the eyes (Romans 7:5).

The works of the darkness lead to fruitlessness (Ephesians 5:11). Be filled with the fruit of righteousness; it comes out from the people who are in Christ (Philippians 1:11). Live a life worthy of the Lord and please him and bear fruit in every good work growing in the knowledge of God (Colossians 1:10). Fruit of lips are the sacrifices of praises to God; it is pleasing to the Lord (Hebrews 13:15, and Psalm 50:23).

2. Secrets to Bear Fruit (John 15:1-8)

Illustration:

While we were living in Vellore, our neighbour had a widespread wood apple tree. It was a grown tree and had numerous fruits in it. It was giving shadow for two-three campuses. One day heavy rain slashed and windblown with high speed. That tree uprooted to the surprise. We were amazed to see the fallen tree. We found out that Ants had eaten the main root of that huge tree. The stem had inner decay, but outer it was looking so beautiful and greenery.

In John, we read that Jesus spoke the importance of being in Christ-like a branch attached to the tree which always looks greener, and the sustenance had come from the Lord who is the root of our existence and nourishment. So Jesus had repeatedly affirmed to stay in Christ and his love. Jesus used harsh words such as cut off, pruned, cleaned, bears no fruit, withering branch, and thrown away branch. Also, he used words of concern such as, remain, bears much fruit, and glory during his discourse on the figurative teaching using the Vine tree. The entire teaching points to the person stay in Christ and bearing fruit as an individual follower of Christ. Later he made them be one and love each other.

According to Psalm 80:8, Israel has referred to as Vine Tree brought from Egypt and planted at Canaan. Prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 5:1-2,7) says Israel was the choices vines planted among the nations. But became an unfruitful Vine Tree and failed in its mission (Jeremiah 2:21, Ezekiel 15:6, 17:6, 19:10 and Hosea 10:1).

Therefore, Jesus is the true vine. Hence, we must be rooted in Him (not in Israel) if we bear fruit for God. Our first identification is in Jesus Christ Himself and not in the church. Fruit-bearing is inevitable with abiding. The quality and quantity of the fruit may differ, but the presence of fruit will be an inevitable one (Enduring Commentary).

The word fruit described in the vegetable world refers to a matured product. John says that the fruit of the True Vine glorifies God (John 15:2-16). The abundant fruit of wheat refers to full-grown life (John 12:24), the fruit of righteousness is characteristics of godly persons (Philippians 1:11; Hebrews 12:11). The fruit gathered means lives brought to Christ (John 4:36; Romans 1:13).

Secrets are God is the husbandman and gardener. Jesus is the True Vine Tree. We are as branches implanted into him. Unless we stay or abide in him, rooted in him, accept the essence of his teaching, and practice the ethical values. When we lose our identity and life, we must be subject to the pruning and disciplining acts of the Holy Spirit. We should live according to the demands and requirements of the Word of God.