The Fruit of the Spirit and Discipleship

The Fruit of the Spirit

As someone who loves YouTube, enjoys a good song, and a bit of wisdom from Scripture, I have this tune stuck in my head. My grandkids and I watch this music video all the time, and we have just about learned all the words. The song is from Uncle Charlie and goes, 'The fruit of the Spirit's not a coconut...' If you haven't seen it yet, I highly recommend searching for it on YouTube. Trust me, once you hit play, you'll find it stuck in your head!

The Traits of True Discipleship

In this catchy little song, we’re reminded of the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Each of these traits represents a golden opportunity to improve our lives and the lives of those around us. When we truly abide in Christ, it's not just about knowing these traits; it's about living them out. It’s about being grounded in Him and allowing our lives to produce this wonderful spiritual fruit.

Bearing Fruit in Everyday Life

Now, let’s think about what it means to bear fruit in our daily endeavors. If we commit ourselves to living as deep-end disciples, we will inevitably showcase these qualities. Imagine the impact of approaching others with love and kindness. Or how about showing patience in the face of adversity? Or in your own home, with your own family, for that matter! The world could use a little more gentleness and goodness, don’t you think?

This is not just theoretical; it’s practical wisdom for everyday living. Imagine that a guest comes to your home. You aren't going to offer them a shriveled apple or a brown banana. You offer them the most beautiful, healthy fruit that you have. This is the kind of spiritual fruit that we should be offering to others. As we practice each of these traits, we become more connected with our purpose in Christ, and pretty soon, kindness, gentleness, self-control, and all the others will come naturally.

To make a lasting difference, we need to nurture our relationship with Christ daily. Just as a healthy vine produces rich, vibrant fruit, our spiritual lives bloom when we remain deeply connected with Him. In those quiet moments of abiding, we are transformed, and from that transformation, we begin to bear fruit in ways that inspire and uplift those around us.

So, take a minute to find that Uncle Charlie song. Watch it with your kids or grandkids or even by yourself. Let it serve as a joyful reminder of the blessings of bearing fruit. By embodying love, joy, and peace, we can cultivate a garden of rich spiritual fruit that nourishes our souls and those of others.