All in One, One at a Time
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Galatians 5:22-23
The singularity of the word fruit in that passage implies the natural unity of all of those qualities produced by the Holy Spirit. And when you allow the Spirit to produce its fruit, all of these qualities will be evident in you. Lately I’ve been wondering how evident it is to others that I am a Christian. And if so, how do they perceive my Christian life?
To the first question I think there are two ways that I would answer, depending on the audience: Before strangers, I would say I don’t know how a stranger could possibly know that I’m a Christian. But then, is there something that we can do about that? Is there something we should do about that? Before people who know me, I would say that those closest to me know that I am a Christian, but then the answer to the second question becomes an important one. Because how those who know me perceive my Christian life is likely what will affect their view of Christianity and, more importantly, Jesus. Which is unfortunate, because the truth is none of us are perfect, Christian or non-Christian, and it is for this reason that we need Jesus in the first place.
I guess my real question is this: Is the fruit of the Spirit evident in me? And my answer is not everyday and not in every way. This week, I have asked God to help me out with self-control. Because getting angry over ticky-tac fouls on a basketball court is not showing self-restraint and totally isn’t worth it. Because being frustrated by someone on the road who just wants you to not be in their way only affects you and those riding with you. And because, frankly, when you’re out of control it just means that you’re not surrendering control to God and not following the perfect example of Christ. Though I will never attain perfection, it is in these little steps, one by one, that I hope to grow spiritually.