Bitter fruit
When I choose fruits my preference is to consume only those that have a sweet taste, or perhaps those with a neutral taste. Those with bitter taste are completely excluded from my world of fruits. I can enjoy some of the juice of a bitter fruit, but not before adding a sweetener to make it acceptable for my requirements.
There are fruits that, though acidic, can have a sweet taste, such as oranges or grapes. These are difficult to identify by sight. What a disappointment when I eat one of these fruits and the result is a bitter taste! That’s why most of the time I limit myself to fruits that can be clearly identified as sweet.
Believers are designed to bear fruit. Not just any fruit, but one that is produced by the Holy Spirit.
… but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide … – John 15:16
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control – Galatians 5:22-23
Believers are expected to bear fruit that glorifies God and appeals to those who have not yet known God (Matthew 5:16). People around us expect that our behavior exhibits the fruits mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23, but sometimes they are disappointed when they receive a bitter fruit from us.
Believers are supposed to be easily identified by the fruit of the Spirit (Matthew 7:20), but that is not always the case. The main reason is the lack of a lasting relationship with Jesus. There is no way to bear fruit without abiding in Jesus.
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. – John 15:4
There is no better fruit than the one that is produced by a relationship with Jesus. The result of this fruit is eternal life for you and those who get to know God through you. May your sweet fruit be demonstrated for the glory of God!
But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. – Romans 6:22
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