What you see is what you get.

March 19, 2022 (Saturday)

 

When Jesus states the obvious, there is a lesson about to happen! Luke 6:43 – 44 is one example, “For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit, for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush.” [ESV] We would not expect a fig tree to produce thorns. We would not expect a thorn bush to produce a fig. It is natural to understand that trees produce specific fruit (and by implication, seed).

 

People are not much different in nature. Jesus teaches, “The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” [Luke 6:45 ESV] What we produce is an extension of who we are in our core. Who we are determines what we produce.

 

The big question remains; what is fruit? Technically “fruit” is what the plant produces after it has expended necessary energy for life. It is the result of excess energy. Fruit also contains seed (or seeds) for the next plant. With these ideas we can imply spiritual applications.

 

Paul starts us with the first idea (excess energy) about fruit, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” [Galatians 5:22 – 23 ESV] Notice, the list is not plural. It’s fruit NOT fruits. We tend to think of these as separate items. In a sense we can, but the list is a result of the work (and indwelling) of the Holy Spirit. If we look at a fruit, say an apple, there are various seeds inside that fruit. Maybe that’s a way to understand “the fruit of the Holy Spirit.”

 

Each seed has the potential to create another fruit-bearing plant (or more) of like kind. One theological way to understand fruit is the Christian reproducing faith in others. This means participating in the Holy Spirit’s work by planting, watering, or reaping a harvest in evangelism. One proof-text for this idea comes from John 15:5, “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” [ESV] Of course, this is followed up by a threat (see John 15:6).

 

The point is the fruit of our lives identifies us. If you look honestly at what you produce in your life, or as a result of our lives, what do you see?