Members of the early church were called Christians because their character resembled Jesus’ character while He was on earth. Their likeness and resemblance to Jesus Christ, by following His teachings and dedicating their lives to Him, was what made people name them Christians. So as a Christian, are you portraying the fruit of the Spirit? Do you think you’re a Christian by name, or by attribute?
What is the fruit of the Spirit?
Children of God are called to bear and birth the fruit of the Spirit. To do this, we have to know what the fruit of the Spirit is.
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
These are the character traits that we ought to portray. We’re supposed to be full of love, joy, peace, and everything listed in Galatians 5:22-23. But it can’t just be an act, because the cracks will show. When people meet you outside of the church, do they know from your character that you’re a Christian?
Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Matthew 7:20
To be known by your fruits means to be identified through your actions, words, deeds, thoughts, desires. It means to be recognised by what you manifest, surround yourself with, and what comes out of your mouth. It was what people saw in the early Church that prompted them to call the church Christians.
Many people call themselves Christians but act even more worldly than people of the world. Bearing the fruit of the Spirit is not just about speaking it and acting it, but it’s most importantly about the heart. Jeremiah 17:10; “I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give to each man according to his ways, according to the results of his deeds.“
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name and in Your name drive out demons and in Your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
Matthew 7 :21-23
It is impossible to keep an act up forever, but it is possible to be transformed into a bearer of good fruits.
How do we bear the fruits of the Spirit?
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.
John 15:5
- You can bear the fruit of the Spirit by accepting Jesus as your Lord and Saviour.
- Ask God: The source of the fruit of the Spirit is Jesus. He’s the sunlight, the soil, the water, and the seed for the fruit of the Spirit. Without Jesus, you can’t bear good fruits. We don’t have the natural ability to be bear the fruit of the Spirit, but God does. So if you want to truly bear the fruits of the Spirit, go to your Father in heaven Who is very ready to give the Holy Spirit to all who ask (Luke 11:13).
- Search yourself daily and ask God to search your heart daily (Psalm 139:23-24). In the process of growth, it’s possible for weeds (bad habits and self) to hide and grow along with the fruits that you are growing. That’s why it’s important to search your heart and submit your heart to God daily, so He can work on you.
As you continue to seek God and His kingdom, you’ll begin to see the internal change and then begin to manifest the fruit of the spirit.