October

September and October are well known in the great Northeast as apple picking time. Most everyone who lives in our area at one time or another has gone picking fruit. Leaving the fruit on the tree long enough is the key to ripening and most orchards know when the fruit is ready to be picked.

But did you know that in your life as a Christian that fruit abounds in your life as well?

The Apostle Paul writes in Galatians 5: 22-25,

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control …

Your life in Christ is just laden with fruit; not just one kind like with an apple tree, but with many different kinds. All of these fruit of the Spirit do not mature and ripen at once. God as the tender of the orchard knows just when the fruit is ready. That I believe is why he gives us a lifetime to grow them before He harvests.

Consider that there are perhaps at least three reasons for our lives to produce the fruit of the Spirit.

1.  Fruit grows.

Throughout our lives the Spiritual fruit is growing and ripening.We never get to a point when we say that’s it, I don’t need to growlove anymore, or patience, or kindness. It takes time to grow fruit!

2.  Fruit matures.

 The fruit of the Spirit needs to fully mature in each season of our life.The patience of a twelve year old looks completely different than that of a 79 year old Christian.

3.   Fruit is for others. 

  Ever notice that an apple tree does not grow apples for its ownenjoyment? It grows apples so others can come along and benefit from The fruit. The fruit of the Spirit in our lives is not for us, it is for others so that others may experience love, joy, kindness etc. that the Spirit is growing in our lives. Our fruit also plants seeds in the lives of others, so they too can grow His fruit.

Consequentially, the fruit of the Spirit is a great weapon against the Devil as he seeks to destroy the church. Satan is less effective at sowing seedsof discouragement, confusion, dissension if the fruit of the Spirit is growing well in a congregation.

Think about this. People flock to the orchard at apple picking time. Where do you think they’ll flock, when they’re looking for love, patience gentleness etc.?

Believe this! The world is looking. What will they find growing here at St. Matthew Lutheran Church. Pray to the Spirit for abundant fruit in our congregation.

Pastor David  

 

         

revdnuss@msn.com