A Letter in LockdownSample

LET’S GET FRUITY. Huh?

“Be filled with the fruit of righteousness” Um. What does that even mean? As good as a fruit salad with a slap of Gippsland yogurt is, Paul isn’t referring to that! Paul, in another letter, teaches us that the fruit of the Holy Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). Who needs a Gippsland topping when you have that kind of fruit! 

Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit.” Now last time I checked, I didn’t see a branch partaking in its own fruit! And while we experience love, joy, peace, and all the fruits of the Holy Spirit, fruit isn’t for us, but everyone around us. Paul writes, ‘I pray that your love may overflow more and more’ (NLT), indicating that, really, we are just conduits for love to flow through into the lives of others. Conduits for joy, peace, goodness, and kindness to flow through into the lives of OTHERS. There’s that word again, others. 

The more you receive from God, the more you have in you to give to others. Giving to others is the greatest gift God gave to us. It feels so good! Why not open your heart to God today and receive the fruit he has for you? How fruity are you?

Challenge:

Write down the fruit of the Holy Spirit and circle those you feel are lacking in your fruit bowl. What can you grow in? Pray and ask that God uses this fruit to reach others. 

Prayer:

Jesus, I pray I would be filled with the fruit of the Holy Spirit today. Fill me with your love, joy, and peace, and let this flow out to others. I thank you. I can’t strive to make myself more ‘fruity,’ but that it comes by staying connected to you.