The Bible speaks of fruit, the product of our walk with God, as being that by which we are known. Now we can be known for many things and there could be, I suppose, many kinds of fruit. But anyone who thinks gooseberries ripen the same time as strawberries knows nothing about grapes. Love of God and Love for Others are the first and second commandments of our Lord and encompass the whole of the Old Testament Law, all 2277 commandments captured by Love. And Love is the initiating fruit of the Holy Spirit, the first-fruit that releases Joy, Peace, Longsuffering, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-control, the very nature of our Savior. This is the fruit of abiding in Christ, continuing to dwell in Christ, living in uninterrupted union with the vine allowing the life changing nectar of His Spirit to flow freely into us. By this fruit we shall be known – They will know we are Christians by our Love, sacrificial, freely demonstrated Love. Notice there is no mention of health or prosperity in the Holy Spirit’s fruit list, these benchmarks are of a church saturated with the world’s viewpoint and drunk on the pleasures of this life. The cross is the signature of God’s new Love covenant with mankind, birthed by an act of Love that defies the superlatives of human language. To understand how God views Love we need look no farther than Calvary. We have received the down-payment of the Holy Spirit who has produced the fruit of His Spirit in us, changing us degree by degree into the mirrored image of His Son. This fruit is the tangible proof that God is and that He is present in and with us. There is no better spiritual manifestation to live by than the fruit of the Holy Spirit, no better judge of godliness or spiritual maturity in God’s Kingdom, and no better evidence of His presence. It is a most glorious time that we live in, sensing that the end is near and anxiously anticipating our grand step into eternity. Whether we fly or we die our hope is a blessed one, a sure anchor for our heart and soul. And how will our Lord recognize us when He comes to take us home? He’ll look for the fruit, a strong family resemblance.
GOD’S FRUIT IS A LIFESTYLE
No comments:
Post a Comment