Bearing Fruit!

But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. GALATIANS 5:22‭-‬23 AMP

Fruitfulness is a function of the roots. No tree, no matter how well placed or precious its seed is, will bear fruit until its roots have gone deep down into the resources of nourishment. When the roots have received nutrients, they send these to all parts of the tree, ensuring that the tree bears fruits after its kind. That is the law of sowing and reaping, established since the days of Noah.

Even in the spiritual, the same principle applies. Today's extract talks about the 'fruit of the Spirit' and part of the exposition is that this fruit is a result of God's presence in us. So, the fundamental question is: who lives inside me? The answer would determine what my life produces. Inflow determines outflow. If all I invest in are things of this world, when it is time to withdraw, I can only get out what I have put in.

Another fundamental part to this is that my inflow would determine my outflow to others. When God's spirit dwells in me, everything of God's nature also dwells in me. My life impacts others. The fruit here isn't so  much of what I get, but what I give. God is love, so when he dwells in me, my life will produce love for  others. His presence teaches patience, so when he dwells in me, I can relate to others in the same manner. Once God comes into a life, he comes with everything that he is.

Please note, the 9 attributes mentioned here are parts of one fruit. There are no multiple fruits, just many parts to a life already surrendered to God. I cannot pick and choose what is convenient; my life must produce everything, if indeed God dwells in me. No law on earth can make love an offence. No law on earth can legislate against self control. That is the advantage of a life totally controlled by the Holy Spirit.

I take stock today, and ask God to dwell in me, so his Life can reflect in my life. What about you? His time of favour is here.