We recently moved out to the country. It's been a change of pace for me as I have always lived in town among neighbors with easy access to things. Since the trip into town is long, I find myself staying at home in the evenings. I enjoy walking around our property after supper with the dogs. They love the chance to explore every nook and cranny of the acreage and it is a great time to unwind from the day.
As I was walking one day I noticed an apple tree. I didn't realize it was there when we purchased the property because at that time it was spring; too early to identify it. I was pleasantly surprised at this finding, looking forward to autumn when I would have this sweet delicious fruit to enjoy.
Every couple weeks I walk by to check the progress. Each apple started as a bud but through the course of the summer they have grown, become sweet and taken on color. I plan to pick the first batch this weekend to give away to friends and perhaps I’ll even bake a pie. I am excited at the thought of having all of this at my disposal.
One day as I was relaxing in my hammock, I began to think about my apple tree. Getting apples has been easy; I haven't had to do anything because of the nature of the tree. You see, the tree produces apples because it is an apple tree, this is its function. It doesn't strive, it doesn't work, it just produces because it is an established tree whose roots go deep. The entire root system goes down into the nutrient rich soil and draws from the underground water supply. It survives and flourishes, even in drought, because it is tapped into the water source.
As I pondered this, I was reminded of the words of Jesus, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing" ( John 15:5 ). So many times as Christians we try to bear fruit on our own. It's a lot work. We strive, we struggle, and we feel guilty when things don't turn out right but it shouldn't be hard. We should be like my apple tree which yields fruit in its season simply by drawing from its life source.
As Christians we are also trained to think that our fruit should be programs, service and works, but Paul said, "the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law" ( Galatians 5:22-23 ). The Amplified Bible describes it in this way, "But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness, Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [that can bring a charge]" ( Galatians 5:22-23 ). Do you see the difference? By drawing from the Source we don't strive for patience, we have it. We don't struggle to love one another, we just do. We don’t fight for self-control; it is evident in our lives because as Christians, we are like Christ.
Just like my apple tree bears apples, believers bear the fruit of the Spirit. We do this by abiding in our Source. "Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing" ( John 15:4-5 ). By tapping into the Source and dwelling in relationship with God and His Word, these things will naturally flow out of your life because this is your natural function as a Christian.
Stop striving to please, stop trying to be something you are not, producing something other than what the Lord wants for your life. Dwell and remain in the Vine and you will find your tree full of fruit, grown effortlessly and ready with each season. When others walk by they will also see and recognize who you are by the fruit displayed in your life.
