What Does Your Fruit Say About You?

What Does Your Fruit Say About You?

In a world that often encourages us to "live our best life" without regard for others, it's crucial to pause and reflect on the fruit our lives are bearing. Are we known for our faith in Christ and our love for others? Or are we simply blending in with the crowd, indistinguishable from those who don't claim to follow Jesus?

The apostle Paul, in his letter to the Colossians, commends the church for their faith in Christ Jesus and the love they have for all the saints. This begs the question: Would our own faith communities be known for the same? Are we, individually and collectively, living in such a way that our faith and love are evident to those around us?

But it's not just about faith and love. Paul also mentions hope - specifically, the hope laid up for us in heaven. This hope, grounded in the truth of the gospel, should be the driving force behind our faith and love. In a world that often places hope in temporary things like financial security or earthly success, we're called to fix our eyes on something far greater and more lasting.

Living as a true Christian in today's world is undeniably challenging. It requires us to be action-filled disciples of Christ, even when the world openly displays its hostility towards Him. Many find this too difficult and choose to remain spiritual infants, never progressing beyond the "milk" stage of their faith. The writer of Hebrews addresses this issue, urging believers to move beyond elementary teachings and mature in their faith:

"For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil." (Hebrews 5:12-14)

This maturity comes through consistently putting God's Word into practice in our lives, allowing it to transform us through the power of the Holy Spirit. It's a daily choice to seek God, to read His Word, and to apply it to our lives. While God gives us free will, He desires for us to grow and mature in our relationship with Him.

One of the clearest indicators of our spiritual maturity is the fruit we bear. Just as a tree is known by its fruit, our lives should display evidence of the Holy Spirit's work within us. The apostle Paul contrasts the works of the flesh with the fruit of the Spirit in his letter to the Galatians:

"Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." (Galatians 5:19-23)

It's important to note that Paul refers to the "fruit" of the Spirit in the singular, suggesting that all these qualities should be present in a believer's life. This fruit is not something we produce through our own efforts, but rather the natural outcome of the Holy Spirit's presence in our lives.

So, how can we ensure we're bearing good fruit? It starts with an honest assessment of our lives. We should regularly pray as David did in Psalm 139:23-24: "Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!"

This requires humility and a willingness to be vulnerable before God and others. We should be intentional about seeking feedback from fellow believers about the fruit they see in our lives. This practice of mutual encouragement and accountability can help us grow in our faith and address areas where we may be falling short.

At the same time, we need to be willing to have difficult conversations with our brothers and sisters in Christ when we notice a lack of spiritual fruit in their lives. These conversations, while potentially uncomfortable, should be approached with love and a genuine desire to see one another grow in faith.

Ultimately, the fruit of our lives speaks volumes about our relationship with God. It's not about perfection, but about progress - a continual dying to self and allowing Christ to live through us. As Paul writes in Galatians 5:24-25, "And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit."

Let's challenge ourselves to take a honest look at the fruit our lives are bearing. Are we known for our faith in Christ, our love for others, and our hope in the promises of God? Or are we indistinguishable from the world around us? May we be intentional about seeking God, immersing ourselves in His Word, and allowing the Holy Spirit to produce His fruit in our lives. In doing so, we'll not only experience personal transformation, but we'll also bear witness to the life-changing power of the gospel in a world desperately in need of hope.