We should be bearing fruit -- if you aren't, you aren't living right.
There are 7500 different kinds of apples. From seed to fruit it takes 10 years. At every stage of the fruit bearing process, there are things that work at destroying the fruit: diseases, pests, animals, weather, fire, drought, thieves, etc. This is the same for our spiritual fruit,
We've seen that saying, "Be patient with me. God isn't finished with me yet." And that is a spiritual truth. The name for that process is Sanctification.
"And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." Philippians 1:6
God never stops working in us making us more and more like Jesus.
17 Now the Lord[a] is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord,[b] are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.[c] For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." 2 Corinthians 3:17-18
The process "being transformed" means it is continually going on. The process never stops. We behold the glory of God -- we're getting shiny!!
Let's look at the first four fruits of the Spirit today: Love, Joy, Peace and Patience:
Love:
"So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves." Philippians 2:1-3
"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love." 1 John 4:7-8
The world's way: love is a feeling.
God's way (and our way): love is a choice.
Love is work. Some of the cross is LOVE. Love like Jesus loves.
Joy:
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope." Romans 15:13
We were bought and paid for. A permanent joy. Cultivate and protect this joy from Jesus.
"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full." John 15:9-11
Live in Jesus's love. It doesn't matter what darkness comes, we can still find our way when we live in Jesus.
Peace:
"You keep him in perfect peace
whose mind is stayed on you,
because he trusts in you." Isaiah 26:3
This is God's peace -- we trust in Him and keep our minds on Him, we have peace.
The world's peace is just a cease fire -- temporary.
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." John 14:27
"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness[a] be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." Philippians 4:4-8
Patience:
"I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love," Ephesians 4:1-2
"The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you,[a] not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance." 2 Peter 3:9
God's not slow. He's patient. Patience is a learned behavior. We get better at it the more we practice it. Usually when we lose our patience it is based on pride.
"I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching." 2 Timothy 4:1-2
Be ready all the time. Be patient with everyone.
Application:
Takes time and effort to tend the fruit in your life. Daily go back to the Word of God. Abide and work toward bearing fruit worthy of what you have been given.