On Bearing Fruit

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23 ESV

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As Christians we should bear fruit. Thankfully God has told us in His Word exactly what fruit we are to produce.

But how do we do this?

Jesus told us the only way is to abide (remain) in Him.

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“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.“
John 15:1, 4-5, 8 NKJV

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The branches of a grapevine do not have to stress or strain or worry or muster strength to produce grapes. Each branch simply must always be attached to the vine—the source of grape producing energy. If a branch becomes detached from the vine, it will wither and die and no longer produce fruit.

If we are in Christ Jesus—the true vine—we will produce the fruit of the Spirit by remaining in Him—our source. We remain in Him by following closely after Him, allowing His Words to renew and change us, resting in His love, joy, and peace.

What are the first three fruits of the Spirit? Love. Joy. Peace. Fruit that Jesus has already given to us!

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“As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. These things I command you, that you love one another.”
John 15:9-10, 12, 17 NKJV

“These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.”
John 15:11 NKJV

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
John 14:27 NKJV

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If we abide in Christ—remain near Him, following closely after Him—the first three of the nine fruits of the Spirit are already in us. By remaining in His likeness we take on Christlikeness. The rest of the fruit will follow: patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. It is not our strength that will produce it. It is our Saviour, our Source, our All in all.

Abide in Him, my friends.

Shalom!

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Featured Image by Matthias Böckel from Pixabay.