Bearing Fruit

When I moved to California in 1987, there was a small tree in the corner of the back yard of the parsonage. I didn't know what kind of tree it was, having never seen one like it before. Based on the leaves, I suspected it was a citrus and since it was California, I assumed it was an orange tree. But I wasn't sure. 

When it began to bear fruit, I felt pretty confident it was an orange tree but thought it might be lime as the fruit was green. However, when the fruit developed, I knew for sure that it was a lemon tree. All the guessing and assuming was put to rest by the developed fruit borne by the little tree in the corner of the backyard. 

When you meet someone in a church building, you might assume they are religious. When you hear them talk about biblical doctrine, you might feel certain they are a Christian. But when you watch them bear the fruit of the Spirit of Christ, you will know they are his disciple. 

That fruit,may the way is not church attendance or biblical knowledge or doctrinal percision. Rather, "the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self- control" (Gal 5:22-23).  The fruit of the Spirit of Christ is an inner goodness that is evident in one's daily walk. 

Paul goes so far as to say, "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision [law keeping] nor uncircumcision [reliance on grace] has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love" (Gal 5:6).  And Jesus himself plainly said, "By this they will know you are my disciples, by your love for one another" (John 13:35).

We don't have to judge someone's moral worth to determine whether they are a disciple if Jesus Christ or not. All we need do is to inspect the fruit they bear. If it is goodness borne out of love, we know they possess His Spirit. Jus' Sayn.