Fruit Trees

When I was growing up there were always fruit trees in the yard. In the backyard there were apple, peach, pear, and cherry trees. At the far back of the yard we had a big garden with grape vines and plum trees on one side. In front there were cherry bushes that produced small but delicious red cherries at just the right height for me to grab a handful as I mowed the grass in the summer.

I always helped Dad with the pruning and the harvesting. I was small enough to climb high and toss the fruit down to waiting hands. We all helped put the fruit up in jars for canning. I enjoyed it so much that Joyce and I still pick and can fruit every summer. I now have blueberries, grapes, and raspberries I am nurturing for future enjoyment.

Producing fruit takes time, patience, and some skill at working the trees, bushes, and vines. Branches have to be pruned to make the fruit better. Good fruit does not happen by accident.

Paul tells us in Galatians 5 that we are to walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh. When we do we can avoid the works of the flesh and will practice the fruit of the Spirit. In the middle of the discussion on the fruit of the Spirit he says, “Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit we must also follow the Spirit.” (5:24-25, HCSB)

This direct connection between the fruit of the Spirit and crucifying the flesh reminds me of the pruning necessary for good fruit. When we seek and practice the fruit of the Spirit we are crucifying the flesh and its desires.

Fruit is made to carry the seed. God wrapped the seed inside a delicious fruit so we would eat the fruit and discard the seed and the result would be more fruit. The fruit of the Spirit works the same way. When the fruit of the Spirit is genuine it passes from us to those around us and they become bearers of the same fruit.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22, HCSB) Every single person bearing genuine Spiritual fruit can help us all bear fruit of the Spirit.

Bro. Robin