Fruit Inspection

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Galatians 5: 22

There is nothing like eating fresh fruit in the summer.  Strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and peaches taste wonderful when just picked off the vine, plant or tree.  My mind races each time I pick fresh fruit…Hmm, will I make jam or serve this in a salad or possibly make a pie or cobbler?

As I clean and inspect each piece of fruit I begin looking more intently at the appearance.  Comparing two pieces of fruit looking the same in size and color with no noticeable difference, I begin cutting the fruit and notice one is softer, sweeter and riper than the other.  Yet how can that be?  They came from the same field or grove.

Belonging to a body of believers is very much like summer fruit.  We may all be in the same grove but only a percentage of Christians bear sweet, ripe, good fruit for the glory of God.  Matthew 7: 17-19 tells us, “Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.  A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.  Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.  Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.”

Allowing Jesus Christ to be Lord of our lives allows the tree of life to produce good fruit within each of us.  Our words, actions, thoughts and deeds become pleasing to God and profitable toward those around us.  People recognize the sweetness of Jesus and are drawn to the living tree of life through us.

Have you taken the time to allow God to inspect the fruit in your life lately?  Is your conversation, way of living, thoughts and actions reflecting Christ?  Do those around you notice Jesus in your life?

Galatians 5: 22-23 says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Heavenly Father, inspect my heart today.  Lord, I desire to bear good fruit for your glory. In Jesus Name, Amen!

Marty Girardier

Marty Girardier

Marty Girardier is a weekly contributing devotional writer for Our Circle of Friends. As author of the book titled “How Shall We Feed Them?” A Practical Guide for Organizing a Food Pantry, her calling to the food pantry ministry began in 2005. Through the obedience of writing the book God has expanded her writing opportunities. Currently she writes a ministry blog titled ‘Pantry of Praise’ http://www.pantryofpraise.com/. An uplifting, encouraging blog filled with ideas on how to minister to food recipients. Most recently she has a devotional being published with The Secret Place in the Fall issue of 2012. Marty and her husband John reside in Chesapeake, Virginia with their dog Mocha. They have two grown sons, two daughter-in-laws, three grandsons and one on the way.