A Tree Is Known By Its Fruit

Thanks to all my fans for bearing with me through the "Fruit of the Spirit" posts. I know they were challenging reading; what, with all the 1-word sentences and stuff. :) Some of the more observant may have noticed that "Faithfulness" was left off the grocery list. I hope to get around to that Fruit at a later date.

Lately I have been contemplating the idea that "you will know a tree by its fruit." Specifically I have been considering the visible characteristics of fruit. What does the Fruit look like? What does a gentle person look like? A patient man? A peaceful woman? A joyful believer? SELF-control? Goodness?

Paul's list of Fruit in Galatians 5 is not just the cute lyrics of a Sunday School song. The list contains strong indicators of the Spirit-filled, Spirit-led experience. In contrast to the Deeds of the Flesh (which appear to be very specific), Paul uses a "loaded" language filled with extended meaning. We need to understand the Spirit's Fruit is not just the absence of the previously listed fleshly Fruit but the presence of a very real and obviously tangible Spirit Fruit. A visible kindness. A noticeable joy. Paul says "the deeds of the flesh are evident." These indicators of evil are juxtaposed with the indicators of righteousness. They seems to be polar opposites. But they share one commonality - their natures are observable.

As Spirit-indwelled believers, we expect there to be an observable Fruit. So rather than blindly assuming that Love is present, we insist that it be visible. We question the "invisible" Fruit.

We ask these kinds of questions of the Fruit (in this case, love):

What is Spirit Love except a demonstrative love? A love demonstrated in self-less commitment to seeking your neighbor's health, joy, safety and salvation? A love that requires late nights with neighbors? And early mornings with your children? A love that disciplines and cares?

What is love that does not give to the poor and needy? What is love except a Love that does not seek its own time, energy, money, status and affairs? A love that cares to save? Help?

The key question is "What does love look like?" If it is visible, demonstratable and in some way tangible, what does the Fruit look like?

2 Timothy 2.7 :)

Let us strive to live in the Spirit and pray that this Fruit is made visible in our lives. May God never say to us, "You call yourself a Spirit Tree? Where is your Fruit?"

I hope you don't see my questions as merely rhetorical. Give some answers. I'm listening.