This is the time of year in which we look at our trees to see if they are bearing fruit

In the Christian life, fruit is to be produced in our lives by the working of God. It is His production, in the life of a believer who is walking with the Lord that brings Him honor and brings glory to Him. While we often emphasize “doing for God,” it is really God the Holy Spirit who desires to work in our lives. Paul tells us --

… “we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”
(Ephesians 2:10)

To the Philippians, Paul stated --

… “It is God who works in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure.”
(Phil 2:13)

This does not mean that we are not to be servants of our Lord. We most assuredly are, but we are not the source or means of production. We merely are willing vessels, available for the Master’s use. We are the branches, and branches do not bear fruit apart from the tree. Jesus made it clear --

… “Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you just as I have forewarned you that those who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”
(Galatians 5:19-21)

It is a life that is Godless, motivated purely by man’s human nature. In contrast, there is a life that is Godly and motivated by the spiritual nature that the believer in Christ possesses. Paul uses that wonderful conjunction of contrast “but” to describe the fruit divinely produced in the “Christ centered life.” He states --

… “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”
(Gal 5:22)

This fruit first and foremost reflects a love for God and unconditional love toward others. It possesses an inner happiness in spite of adverse external circumstances. This fruit does not reflect the bruises of worry, for there is peace with God and the peace of God abiding in one’s life. Instead of impulsiveness and impatience, there is that quality to wait on the Lord and see His kindness and goodness. In turn, the fruit reflects those very qualities of kindness and goodness with the result that it draws others to the Savior. God is able to produce faithfulness in us, for He is faithful. We become a tracing of Him in our life, a life that is marked now by gentleness instead of anger, self discipline instead of lawlessness and self will. When we allow the Spirit of God to use us as He wills, we experience the reality of Christ being formed in us. Just as He was submissive to the Father’s will in all things, so we can allow God the Holy Spirit to accomplish in and through us that which makes of us a trophy of grace to His glory.