We are not to PRODUCE fruit, but to BEAR fruit…
A lot of us think that WE have to produce the fruit. God’s Word does not say for us to create or bring this fruit into existence, but to bear fruit. To carry it, support it, and hold it up (Google definition). Think about the analogy that Christ uses in John 15:5, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” It doesn’t say “You will produce much fruit” but that “you will bear much fruit.” A branch alone, separate from the vine, will grow and bear nothing. It is a dried up stick. But, connected to the vine, life flows through it and fruit grows. It is CHRIST flowing through us that produces the fruit. Christ produces the fruit, and we are to bear the fruit.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22)
For this life to flow through us, to turn us from a dried up stick into a fruit-producing branch, we must first accept Christ into our hearts. “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9) With that acceptance, you are now a new creation, connected to Christ. He is now producing fruit in your life. You are “accepting responsibility” to bear His fruit.
“TO BEAR” His fruit doesn’t mean for us to only stand there, holding it. “TO BEAR” is a transitive verb (an action verb that also requires a direct object). The object, in this case, is Christ’s fruit. And according to Merriam Webster, there are 10 actions that can be associated with “TO BEAR”:
1-“to move while supporting”
Christ wants us to move while carrying His fruit. Let those around us see His fruit is us and in our lives.
2-“to be equipped or furnished with”
Christ is providing us with the tools we need to live our lives for Him.
3-“behave, conduct”
We are to conduct our actions, words, and thoughts as Christ-like, to show those around us who Christ is, what He is doing for us, and what He wants to also do for them.
4-“to have as a feature or characteristic”
The fruit of the Spirit should be flowing from us so much so that it becomes who we are and how others describe us.
5-“to give as testimony”
We give Christ’s fruit to others as a testimony of Christ’s story.
6-“to have as an identification”
We are labeled by the fruit we bear.
7-“to hold in the mind or emotions”
Christ’s fruit is for others, but also for us; to carry within our hearts and minds.
8-“disseminate (to cause something to go to many people)”
We are the bearers, to carry His fruit and share His message with the world.
9-“lead, escort”
As we carry fruit, make sure it is the fruit of life. We can escort others who look up to us towards life or towards death.
10-“render, give”
Christ’s fruit is for us, but it is also to share with others.
God knows our weaknesses. God knows our needs. Those days when we struggle, when everything and everyone around us is going wrong, we are never to feel like we have to do it alone. God provided a provider, and with Christ all things are possible.
Let Christ produce the fruit in your life.
Let Christ love the unlovable through you.
Let Christ fill you with peace as you are waiting in the hospital.
Let Christ flood you with kindness when you are stuck in traffic.
Let Christ give patience when your child plays artist with a permanent marker.
Let Christ provide self-control to resist a temptation.
Let Christ produce the fruit so you may bear it.
~Jess
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