Fruit is the end product of a process. Fruit does not just happen; it is produced. The Spirit produces His fruit in us when we live in Jesus, the true Vine (Jn 15:5). Likewise, the discipline of the Lord produces the Spirit's "fruit of peace and justice" (Heb 12:11). Thirdly, sorrow for our sins produces the fruit of the Spirit (see 2 Cor 7:11). Also, the gifts of the Spirit produce the fruit of the Spirit. For example, kindly deeds are the fruits of the Spirit's gift of wisdom (Jas 3:17).
Many Christians seem to be waiting around for the fruit of the Spirit to just pop up. Fruit isn't like that. All farmers know that, although ultimately the harvest depends on God, they must do several things to make it possible for fruit to be produced. This is also true of the fruit of the Spirit. To make possible the Spirit's fruit, we must cling to Jesus, accept the Lord's discipline, be sorry for our sins, and use the Spirit's gifts.
| PRAYER: | Father, may I be fruitful (see Gn 1:28). |
| PROMISE: | "Since we live by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit's lead." –Gal 5:25 |
| PRAISE: | St. Teresa lived her life for God with such intensity and fervor that the witness of her life still produces fruit some five hundred years later. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College