By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things.
-Galatians 5:22-23

I thought the fruit of the Spirit was, you know, low hanging fruit.

Those 9 qualities Paul lists? I thought that’s what everybody strived for.

Nope. I don’t think so anymore. It makes me sad to say, but some people seem committed with their whole being to producing rotten fruit.

Hate instead of love. Fear instead of joy. Violence instead of peace. Ruthlessness instead of patience, harshness instead of kindness, selfishness instead of generosity, intolerance instead of faithfulness, bullying instead of gentleness, and controlling others instead of themselves.

Do you know people like this? I’ve often thought these folks could all change, given time. Now I realize many adamantly don’t want to change. And probably never will.

There definitely seems to be a category of people out there who like to hate. They love to wield power. And that’s about as much liking and loving as they’ll ever produce.

Some people are hell bent on ruining everything they touch, like a worm inside an apple.

Paul says there’s no law against fruitfulness–it just flows out naturally. My problem is that there’s no law requiring it, either — it can’t be forced like that. Mean people can still roam around the playground, or sign your paycheck, or run for office.

I used to think my job (our job) was to help redeem every scoundrel. To appeal to a deeper respect for others. After all, grace means God never writes anyone off.

But…Jesus reminds us again and again that our lives must bear fruit. If we don’t, there are serious consequences:

Every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
-Matthew 7:19

Gulp. That’s stark. Typically, I stay more in the “grace” camp. Unconditional love can do amazing things.

Still, I am learning to recognize that there’s a limit. There’s a limit to what I must listen to, acquiesce to, or even tolerate. I’m not trying to be all sour grapes about it either. It’s a difficult part of life, and I can withstand a little rotten fruit thrown my way.

I’ll pray for those who seek to poison the fruit I create and thank God for those who show me that real fruit still grows.

If it weren’t for all the blessed apple, pear, orange, grapefruit, lemon, lime, tangerine, clementine, mandarin, pineapple, mango, papaya, guava, passionfruit, kiwi, dragonfruit, starfruit, persimmon, pomegranate, apricot, peach, nectarine, plum, cherry, strawberry, raspberry, blackberry, blueberry, cranberry, watermelon, and cantaloupe producers I am surrounded by…

I would probably go

bananas.

Have a great week,

Mitch