Share Your Spiritual Fruit

Not too long ago, I noticed that the fruit tree in our front yard not only had an abundance of fruit, but the fruit was quickly becoming ripe. Though we harvested a great deal of it, enjoyed it, and shared some of it with others, there was still more to be had, but time and other obligations made it difficult to collect and gift the remainder of the fruit. Eventually, the unpicked pieces fell to the ground and ruined, creating an unpleasant odor and an unnecessary waste of the delicious life-giving sustenance, and this made me think…

The Lord has given us the ability to bear much spiritual fruit. Though the fruit is for us to enjoy, it is not only for our benefit. We are meant to share the fruit of the Spirit flowing through our lives with others. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and selfcontrol…” Galatians 5:22,23a Daily, we are to give away the love of Christ, share with others His joy and peace, bestow upon them His forbearance, or patience, envelope them with His kindness, surround them with His goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

When we do not share the fruit born of our walk with Jesus, it is very possible that the unused fruit will fall uselessly to the ground of our soul and become spoiled, creating a stagnating stench within our spiritual being, and James poignantly addresses the futility of the wasted fruit of our faith: “Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds…You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?” James 2:18b,20 We must share and live-out the fruit of our walk and the knowledge we bear so that others might be brought to life and health, being continually drawn to the Lord and His saving grace.

Today, reach out to others. Share the fruit of your walk with Christ. Do not keep the fruit of your salvation and relationship with the Lord to yourself alone. Make time and ask the Lord to show you opportunities for you to impart the spiritual fruit in your life.

–Katie Botello