For the longest time, we had a fruitless tree in our front yard. As a child, I kept wondering when will it ever bear fruit, and so I kept asking my dad, what kind of tree it really is and how come it is not like our mango tree and all other trees in our yard that bear fruit in season. To this my dad patiently explained to me that he was just happy that the tree grew, and that it was actually impossible for it to grow in our part of the country. Maybe in time, it will also bear fruit if we will only take care of it, he said.
My dad’s patience to that fruitless tree was much like God’s patience, for us His children to finally be spiritually fruitful. As God’s word was planted in our hearts, and we have surrendered our lives to Jesus, our journey to emulate our Savior begins.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23
As the Apostle Paul explains, once a believer receives the Holy Spirit, he will begin to develop Godly character traits such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These virtues are called the “fruit of the spirit” that we, as Christians, are called to bear.
“Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.” Galatians 5:24-26
And while it is indeed a challenge to possess all these traits, let us be comforted with the thought that God is patient with us, and that He understands that our sanctification process can be snail-paced.
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9
One of the biblical proofs that could attest to God’s patience is Jesus’ parable on the fig tree. In that parable, the owner of a vineyard wanted to cut down a fruitless fig tree as it is just wasting resources. But the gardener pleaded with the owner and asked him to wait three years while he tries to fertilize it and make it fruitful.
“And He told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. And he said to the vinedresser, ‘Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?’ And he answered him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’” Luke 13:6-9
That same second chance is given to all of us believers, as God awaits us to bear the fruit of the spirit, be a blessing to others, and shine His light in this dark world. And the good thing about being truly committed followers of Jesus, we are given successive chances to improve and grow, as long as we are sincere in our efforts to live a life of obedience.
“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. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. ” John 15:5-6
And though we may have limitless opportunities to bear fruit, we must strive to become fruitful as soon as we can because judgement will still come. After all, God, as mentioned in the parable above and the preceding Gospel passage, is both merciful and just.
So how do we bear the fruit of the spirit in our present lives? Well we have to stay connected to Jesus. The Psalmist tells us that the best way to stay planted in the Lord is by immersing ourselves in God’s word, meditating on it, and applying it in our lives.
When we know God’s truth, God’s character, and His promises, and we endeavor not to do anything that will displease Him, we will in God’s time, bear the fruit He longs for us to produce.
“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.” Psalm 1:1-3
Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to
ponder on Galatians 5:19-26 and Psalm 1 to dig deeper on today’s topic.
Reflection Question: Do you already possess the traits God has been waiting for you to possess?
Conversation with the Lord: Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for being patient with me, as I go through life trying to emulate you. Please give me the grace to continue seeking you and living a life of worship, so that in time I could bear the fruit of the spirit. Amen.
