Spirit Fruit #1
[Ripe] – “But the fruit of the Spirit is…” Galatians 5:22
This week, we’re going to study what it means to be under the influence of fruit. Yes, I said fruit.
The Bible is very clear on what it look like too. We have oranges and apples and lemons and pears. Well, actually–it looks more like this:
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23
When you are living under the influence of love, joy, peace…you’re not green with envy, but taste sugar-baby sweet.
So, how do we become ripe?
It’s as simple as remaining in Jesus. John 15:5 says, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
I’d like to grow patience on my own, but it takes a trial to produce that. I can’t love my friends and family without support. My faith doesn’t grow unless I’m on a Mission (see last week’s devotional series). And neither can you!
Let’s taste and see how sweet we can be today if we remain in Jesus.
I know there are a million reasons why we’re not ripe. Please prune everything that stunts our growth, and teach us how to be sweet in a patch full of sour people.
Amen
