Friday
OUR SOURCE
Jenna Worsham
Today’s Scripture: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23, ESV)
Theme: The Holy Spirit is the source of spiritual fruit, the vine.
NOT A COCONUT
"Oh, the fruit of the Spirit is not a coconut...” (Fruit of the Spirit – Uncle Charlie Worship Songs)
A few years ago at The Cove Church, I was a part of leading Studio 522 (based on Galatians 5:22-23), performing skits and teaching kids at our Vacation Bible School-styled summer camp. The silly song we sang reminded us that the fruit of the Spirit aren’t coconuts, grapes, or watermelons collected in the field. They are “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control.” The fruit of the Spirit aren’t qualities that I have naturally or can cultivate on my own. Ambition, for example, is not a fruit of the Spirit. So, what makes the fruit of the Spirit different from good character traits? The fruit of the Spirit are given to us by the Holy Spirit.
CONNECTED TO THE VINE
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5, NIV). Likewise, we must be connected to the Source. Branches wither and die if they are snipped from the vine. Jesus followers will not bear spiritual fruit if we are disconnected from the Holy Spirit.
PRUNED FOR A PURPOSE
Before Jesus says that we are the branches, He says that He is the vine and He, too, is subject to pruning: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit” (John 15:1-2, ESV). He shows us the truth: the branches in our lives will be pruned to help bear more spiritual fruit by the power of the Holy Spirit.
LIVING BRANCHES
Sometimes through painful situations and trials, we are stripped of things that entangle us in the world. Pruning may be difficult, but it is necessary for healthy spiritual growth. Even as we are pruned, we must remember that we wouldn’t be alive at all if we weren’t connected to the vine. It is not harsh to be pruned. Pruning doesn’t happen to dead branches that are on the ground. Pruning only happens to live, growing, potentially fruitful branches.
Make it Personal: How does the Holy Spirit provide nourishment? What spiritual fruit do you see developing in your life because you are connected to the Vine?
Pray: God, thank You for helping me to bear spiritual fruit. Help me to stay connected to You as You lead me to produce love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, thankfulness, gentleness, and self-control. It is encouraging to know that pruning isn’t a punishment, since it is the living, fruit-bearing branches which You tenderly prune. I know that it is necessary, even if I haven’t done anything wrong. Help me to accept the productive and painful parts of the process. I know that you are a good Father.
Additional Reading: John 15:1-11
Weekly Memory Verse: "If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit." Galatians 5:25 (ESV)