Commentary: Bearing spiritual fruit

Spiritual fruit, like physical fruit, begins as seeds.”

Spiritual fruit includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, and temperance (Galatians 5:22-23). We cannot decide to have and display these qualities. We must decide to let Christ put them in us as He lives through us when we yield to the Holy Spirit.

Genuine Christians can be recognized by this fruit in their lives. However, we must remember that the best Christian is still a flawed and evil human (Matthew 7:11).

Jesus said that God answers the prayers of those who abide in Him (John 15:7). We all are guilty of sometimes asking for too much from God. I might ask for a yacht and get a small boat. God always looks out for His children by providing what we need, not necessarily what we might want.

God knows best, and it is always best to trust Him. We need to also depend on God. Yes, we are to do what we can, but we can do so much more and better with God’s help. I preach that we need to always pray first before beginning to do anything.

Christians need to pray often to stay in touch with their heavenly Father. He loves us and, like good earthly parents, He wants to hear from His children. So talk with Him often and remember to do as the old hymn, "What a Friend We Have in Jesus," suggests, “Take it to the Lord in prayer.” Without prayer and Bible study, a Christian cannot grow in grace.

Unbelievers are only happy when things go their way. Their joy is circumstantial. Christians, by contrast, have what we call the “joy of salvation” that is always present in us, regardless of circumstances. This is due to knowing that our souls are heaven-bound and that we have the Holy Spirit living in us. He, God’s Spirit, is not only our joy, but also our comforter, helper, counselor, and best friend. In fact, the Holy Spirit is our All-in-all.

I was once on my way home after teaching a chemistry course at our local college. Suddenly, the thought occurred to me, “What is happiness?” A car then immediately passed me with a bumper sticker that proclaimed, “Happiness is knowing Jesus.” Skeptics would call this a coincidence, but I have to ask, “What are the chances that this would have occurred at the exact and appropriate time?” I will always believe that this was God’s way of physically and dramatically answering my thought question.

Spiritual fruit, like physical fruit, begins as seeds. God sows them in man’s heart, and in some people, they are able to grow in spite of Satan. One of the results of spiritual fruit is agape love for other people. This type of love does not depend on feelings. One can love another that he does not even like, because agape love is the act of meeting the needs of other people. Jesus said that giving a cup of water in His name would get a reward in heaven (Mark 9:41).

Earthly happiness depends on relationships. Our relationship with God our Father is the most important, but relationships with other people also play a big part. Even good Christians need other believers in their lives. That is why church is so important. Worshipping with other believers boosts our faith and exercises our love of people. Listening to God’s Word helps build our faith and understanding. These things are important ways the Lord grows us and gives us direct opportunities to bear His spiritual fruit.

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Ralph Fudge is the pastor of Big Ochlocknee Baptist Church in Coolidge, Ga., and has a Master’s degree in theology from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.