Ten bucks?! Our youngest lamented the price of a watermelon. They really are outrageous this year. Not trying to throw shade at the growers, but it seems that every summer, at least one crop is threatened by weather, and we're warned prices will go through the roof. Experts are already threatening our peaches while we're still reeling at the cost of melons. Summer in our area usually makes eating healthy a little less expensive, but this year, good fruit is gonna cost us.
The good fruit of a life lived for Christ comes with its own costs. Our lives must be led surrendered to the will of God according to Scripture and with constant listening for, seeking out the impressions of the Holy Spirit with regard to our thoughts, words, and behavior. The fruit of the Holy Spirit comes at the cost of our own way. If you think about it, the desire for fruit and the determination to apprehend it in a manner other than through obedience to God, was man's downfall. Because of sin, our flesh remains conditioned to taste the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, etc., in ways other than through the sometimes difficult, sometimes time-consuming work of the Holy Spirit. Instead of submitting to His authority, we manufacture love in multiple relationships or in the possession of things. Instead of drawing near to God in prayer and devotion, we manufacture joy in attaining status or wealth. Instead of resting in the true peace of Jesus, we manufacture peace by cutting off difficult relationships (I don't mean dangerous) or seeking answers wherever they may be found. We are trying to grow our own fruit. And it is rotten to its core; poisonous and leading to separation from God, not unity with God.
How, exactly, is the fruit of the Spirit developed? Let me point out, the fruit of the Spirit is not the "fruits" of the Spirit. This is a union, not a buffet. Character is developed in a way that is dependent on and requires the cooperation of other characteristics. For instance, the other day, I heard the voice of Old Me handling a situation. I was annoyed, snarky, impatient. I communicated to others that my being kind was of less importance than my being on time; that my being kind was of less importance than my getting my own way. New Me, the me that imitates Jesus and His apostles, however, values and places kindness above the desires of my self. It's not behavior modification; I must value kindness before I can willingly, regularly place it above my own comfort. That value is cultivated by love, fruit of the Spirit. That value is cultivated by self-control, fruit of the Spirit. That value is cultivated by gentleness, fruit of the Spirit. As character is developed in me, it is developed as a union: peace manifested in goodness and faithfulness which produce further peace, all of which condition me to patience and bring fullness of joy.
If you've ever enjoyed a delicious fruit salad, it's quite a different experience than a simple fruit basket. In a fruit basket, apples remain unpeeled, uncut, and easily separated from whole bananas or grapes. But the marriage of flavors in a fruit salad is what makes it most enjoyable. Yes, there are individual ingredients, but they are exposed to one another, peeled, diced, and they function as a whole. The juice that remains in the bottom of the bowl is fruit juice --not "fruits" juice, though it contains hints of all the flavors. Likewise, the fruit of the Spirit is the entire character of the Christian life; not a checklist of ingredients. It is developed at the discretion of the Holy Spirit and as much as we are willing to cooperate with His work. So, how much are you willing to lay down for the sake of your sanctification; for the sake of Holy Spirit growth in you? It might cost more than a ten-dollar watermelon, but the benefits will last throughout eternity!
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