The Good Fruits God is Trying Grow

Today we hear much talk about good fruit and bad fruit. Why? 

Because above all, God is trying to build good fruits of the Spirit in us and weed out the bad fruits through our entire life experience so that we can be made whole and perfect by the end of our lives.

The more I realize that life is about building good fruits, the more I can see what God is really doing in my life especially in the trials and sufferings I face in my relationship with God, others, and myself. Whatever happens to me, good, bad, or indifferent, is meant to draw out good fruit.

What are those fruits? Galatians 5:22 tell us:

Fruits related to your relationship with God: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Long-Suffering
Fruits related to your relationship to others: Goodness, Benevolence, Mildness, Fidelity
Fruits related to your relationship to yourself: Modesty, Self-Control, Chastity

No, they aren't fruits of success, riches, wealth, honor, or all the desired after things of this world. Instead, they are qualities of good, Godly people. That's the fruitfulness God cares about and ultimately, it will bring out our best and highest happiness and peace. But rest assured, these fruits don't come without major spiritual struggle and battle.

In looking at these fruits, is there one or two that stick out as a struggle for you right now? An area where you think God is growing good fruit and trying to weed out the bad fruit? Perhaps you struggle with harshness, anxiety, impatience, lack of self control in your appetites, a lack of goodness to others, or a lack of loyalty?

As Lent comes into focus this week, perhaps it’s a good time to think about where you want better fruit in your life. Maybe it’s a call to pray more about that area of your life and fast from a bad behavior that keeps you from progressing in that area.

I pray this Lent is a fruitful time for you.