"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law" (Galatians 5:22-23)
There is something special about biting into a piece of fresh fruit. While Christians should make a habit of offering thanks for every meal, a juicy green apple almost seems to deserve an extra word of appreciation.
Most food requires preparation from many people before it it ready to be consumed. Breads are mixed, kneaded, and baked. Meats are carefully selected, sliced, and preserved. Fruit, however, seems to go straight from the tree to the market. It does not require any preparation; it is perfect the way God made it.
Just as God cultivates apples and oranges, He works to produce a ripe crop of spiritual fruit within His people. In Galatians 5:22, Paul listed the nine specific fruits of the Spirit as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. As with food, the quality of these things can surpass any personal characteristics that you may develop on your own.
If God is the planter and the Spirit is the seed, what is missing? The soil! Fruit - even spiritual fruit - cannot grow without something in which to sink its roots. For Christians, that soil if often adversity.
The believer's response to pain provides a fertile field from which God can raise a cornucopia of fresh fruit. Trust Him with your adversity. There will be a full harvest of victory on the horizon!
Help me, Lord, to remember that when life is most difficult, Your truth is rooting itself deeper in my life in order to produce richer fruit. Amen
~Charles Stanley~
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