How to be a Fruity Christian? (Part 1)

I have read in various articles that when most forms of life find themselves under great stressful conditions then it makes it more difficult for that life to reproduce itself.  This observation applies to fish, plants, birds, animals, and yes even humans.  The more stressful the environment, the more anxious the mindset, the more likely that life will not be able to reproduce itself; and if it does reproduce, there is a good chance the results will be less than a stress free environment (like less nuts, eggs, newborns).  The same can be said about a Christian.  The more stress a Christian allows in their life, the less likely they will be able to produce fruit.

My devotion for the next few months will come out of Galatians 5:22-23, beginning with the twenty-second verse, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love..."   In the previous verses, the apostle Paul has clearly shown us that the opposite of "the fruit of the Spirit" is "the fruit of the flesh".  Every person produces fruit....either fruit that is sinful and dead or fruit that is Spirit produced and living.  You see, only a Christian, who has God's Spirit within, has the ability to produce good fruit.  Let us break it down this way, first, the fruit is the method of Christianity; or the outward sign that there has been an inward change.  Second, the Spirit is the power within the Christian (5:16), without whom we would be lost.  Third, love is the result of Christianity.  Notice the word "fruit" is singular.  There is only one fruit, God's love.  And from love there are eight different components: joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, and self-control.  It is a life given over completely to God's love that will ensure a less-stressful life.  Until next time, keep walking close to Christ.