How to Be a Fruity Christian (Part 3)

I do not claim to be an expert in farming or cultivating fruit trees.  Yet I do enjoy planting both vegetables and fruit trees, and then spending the next months and even years watching them produce their bounty.   In all my work, I have learned that the more I (the care-taker) do for my plants, the better they will produce.  If I carefully prepare the soil, fertilize, weed, water, and spray correctly, then those plants will produce a better harvest.  This truth also applies to the Christian life.  In order for the child of God to produce a bountiful harvest the cultivator or vine-dresser (John 15:1-5), Jesus Himself, will do all He can so that we, His vines, will produce bountifully for His glory.    We should not worry about the vine-dresser's cares for us.  He will only do for His children what will be the best for our spiritual growth.  In fact, God uses discipline and correction as part of the pruning process in our lives.  Yes, it is painful for the tree and for the child of God, but the end result is a great harvest.  This growth and harvest is depended only as we "abide in Christ (John 15:4 & Ps. 1:3).  If we purpose to discipline our lives daily, to walk closely with Christ, the fruit of the Spirit will be evident by all.  Until next time, keep walking close to Christ. 

How to be a Fruity Christian (Part 2)

When you and I see apples on an apple tree, pears on a pear tree, or oranges on an orange tree, one word that never come across our mind is the word "death".  When we see a tree producing fruit it is a clear sign that tree is alive.  No matter how poor the outward appearance of that tree may be, the production of fruit lets us know that tree is still living.  This is the lesson the apostle Paul is teaching us in Galatians 5 to the church in Galatia.  When we see the fruit of the Spirit in the life of a believer is a sign of life and growth.  If we see the fruits of the flesh hanging from the spiritual limbs of people, then it reveals to us that sin and good works dominate their inward life, resulting in death (Gal. 5:19, Rom. 6:23).  In fact Jude 12 states, "...wicked men are like trees with no fruit."  So a correct assumption from this passage can be as follows:  First, a true believer in Christ will produce good fruit.  Second, those who do not have Christ living in them cannot produce fruit.  Third, a lack of fruit (for short period of time, John 15) can apply to a backslidden believer.  Fourth, the love of God in a believer's life, will manifest itself as various Spirit-filled qualities/fruit as listed in verse 22-23.  When a Christian is determined to walk closely with Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit, this walk will be made evident by the abundance of fruit they produce.  Until next time, keep walking close to Christ and producing good fruit.