THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT - PART ONE -- Devotional for November 19, from "Good Seeds"

What happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard – things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity, a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, and able to marshal and direct our energies wisely. (Galatians 5:22-23)

I look at this list, especially as paraphrased here, and I realize two things: 1) how far away from this standard I still am, even after all these years of living for Jesus; and 2) how I long to be closer. Taking the inverse of the former three verses (listing fifteen characteristics of those who will not inherit the kingdom of God), we see that these nine fruits are descriptive of all who are the heirs of God’s grace. But then that’s the point: just how descriptive of us are they? Let’s examine them one at a time: LOVE – We know that it was a motive of love that caused God to reach down, to come down, to man, to restore us to our former glory as reflectors of His image. Jesus did this for us when He died for us. But even before that ultimate sacrifice (that only the sinless Lamb of God could accomplish) He made many small sacrifices, things we also could do as we walk “in His steps.” Peter saw this first hand in the Savior’s life and described it this way: “And while being reviled, he did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats” (I Peter 2:23). We know the positive aspect of love, but how well do we know and practice this other side of the coin, this giving good in return for evil? But that’s what happens when we start to live God’s way. JOY – I like Eugene Peterson’s description here: “exuberance about life.” Joy is the transmission in the vehicle of life: First gear is salvation – the initiation of movement. Without Christ we were stationary and stagnant, but in Christ we’re on the road to heaven and moving. Second gear is sanctification – holiness of character. We’re not just traveling, we’re obeying the rules of the road. But we’re still not moving as we should be, as we would be, until we shift into third gear: joy! We all know genuine Christians who demonstrate authentic righteousness, but whose faces betray a sad lack of enthusiasm and whose service for Christ may show their skills and spiritual gifts, but the spiritual fruit of soul energy and exuberant joy is nowhere to be seen. Occasionally I’ve been “accused” of demonstrating such a non-combative love and an exuberant joy, but I know that on my life’s tree the fruit of the Spirit is still mostly slim pickin’s! How I long to be more fruitful for Him! How about you?