It is very difficult to read this list of fruits in GALATIANS 5:22-23 and not see all the ways we fall short. But before you start beating yourself up, try to look at this list from the point of view of the One who gave up His life out of love for you. To do this, imagine your heart is an orchard full of many kinds of fruit trees, and picture yourself walking through this orchard, with Jesus. As you walk together, you notice Jesus looks happier and happier – and that makes you nervous. How can He not see the scraggly bushes that stick out like sour thumbs – moments when pride or moodiness overtook you? What about that time when you said the wrong thing and ended up hurting your neighbor’s feelings? Surely He can see that event, ugly as a tall weed!
But then He stops and tells you how much He is enjoying the walk. He starts pointing out all the fruit He is seeing on the trees – fruit you never really noticed. He sees the way you held your tongue when you wanted to lash out at a co-worker. He sees the way you went out of your way to help a friend and the way you serve your family. As you see this orchard through His eyes, you are amazed at how much fruit there really is. Yes, He sees the occasional weed or bad specimen of fruit, but He doesn’t look too worried. “This doesn’t bother Me too much,” He tells you. “I love you, and I’ve been helping you to grow all this fruit for so many years. I haven’t stopped working in your orchard and I see all the different ways you are welcoming Me. With the power of My Cross, with the grace of My indwelling Spirit; it’s only a matter of time before the good fruit overtakes the weeds. Now just imagine how much more fruit you would bear if you spent just a little more time with Me every day!”
In days and generations to come Jacob shall take root; Israel shall blossom and send forth shoots and fill the whole world with fruit [of the knowledge of the true God]. (Isaiah 27:6)
Once more a remnant of the house of Judah will take root below and bear fruit above. (Isaiah 37:31)
And the remnant that has survived of the house of Judah shall again take root downward and bear fruit upward. (2 Kings 19:30)
For the palace shall be forsaken… until the Spirit is poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness becomes a fruitful field, and the fruitful field is valued as a forest. (Isaiah 2:14-15)
May God Almighty bless you and make you fruitful… (Genesis 28:3)
… Your fruitfulness comes from Me. (Hosea 14:8)
Peace, peace to him who is far off [both Jew and Gentile] and to him who is near, says the Lord; I create the fruit of his lips, and I will heal him [make his lips blossom anew with speech in thankful praise]. (Isaiah 57:19)
The earth is satisfied and abounds with the fruit of His works (Psalm 104:13).
My fruit is better than gold, yes, than refined gold, and My increase than choice silver (Proverbs 8:19).
Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit. (Jeremiah 17:7-8)
Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in His ways. You will eat the fruit of your labor… (Psalm 128:1-2)
Already the reaper is getting his wages [he who does the cutting now has his reward], for he is gathering fruit unto life eternal, so that he who does the planting and he who does the reaping may rejoice together. (John 4:36)
God's Word on That 