The Harvest is Coming
The Fruits of the Spirit are characteristics of how the Holy Spirit is being an active presence within the everyday actions of our lives.
When I reflect on my own life I cannot help but to think about the fruits I am producing, the vines that are being pruned, and the harvest I have let wither and the soil go dry.
Galatians 5: 22-23 says
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
There have been times I have succeed in love and loving others. Moments where I have embraced joy when experiencing the beauty of life. I have even had peace in difficult situations and practiced patience while waiting. I have been able to show kindness and goodness to others while also being faithful in all circumstances. I have practiced gentleness with those that needed it and self control when it was necessary. However, when reflecting on my life, I could not help but wonder why there were some seasons my vine was not blooming and producing, but instead appeared lifeless and dry.
And that is when I read verse 24.
It says:
And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
To be crucified with the flesh means that we must stop resisting the transformation of the person we are meant to be. God is always after our heart. He is working daily to form and mold us into the perfect representation of Christ. When we make decisions that do not represent who Jesus is we are deciding that our passions and desires are more important than the calling and purpose that God has on our lives.
Daily we have to decide to chose love over animosity, joy over misery, peace over discord, patience over fear, kindness over selfishness, goodness over dishonor, faithfulness over inconstancy, gentleness over hatred, and self-control over weakness. When we chose the things of Christ we will bear the reputation of who He is. One of honor.
When we crucify the flesh with our passions and desires we are taking a stand against the enemy who wants to continue to enslave us to them.
John 3:30 (ESV) says:
He must increase, but I must decrease.
Daily we must make a decision to live like Jesus and put the characteristics of Christ above ourselves. We must choose the Redeemer over our rebellious ways and other people over our pride.
When Christ increases in our lives, we will find that our selfish desires begin to lessen. The more time we spend with Jesus we will be able to live in the newness of the Holy Spirit. We will start to see our vines bear the fruit it was intended and we will understand the pruning process and how it will bring us closer to our Creator.
The Fruits of the Spirit are intended to transform us, give us hope and ground us in our faith. They represent the distinctive qualities of Christ that will allow us to grow closer to him while being guided by Him.
John 15: 5 (NIV) says:
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.
The harvest is coming my friend, it’s time to start watering your roots and watch your fruit start to bloom.
