I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
— John 15:5
PEOPLE WOULD like to produce fruit apart from the vine. They think they might squeeze out a fruit or two by living good lives or by becoming better people. But the fact is, apart from Jesus, we can do nothing. It is only as we abide in Him that the Holy Spirit begins to form fruit in us—naturally.
What fruit does the Spirit produce? The fruit of the Spirit is agape love—deep, fervent love—love that suffers long and is kind; love that does not envy, does not exalt itself, does not behave in an unseemly manner, love that does not get cliquish, love that does not seek its own. This is an amazing love. It’s love that is not easily provoked, love that doesn’t think evil of others, love that bears all burdens, love that believes all things, love that never fails.
IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR YOU TO PRODUCE, MIMIC, OR CONJURE UP THE LOVE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
If God’s Spirit dwells in you, then the natural result will be the fruit of agape love. We are impatient for that fruit. We would like to plant an apple tree today and eat the apples tomorrow. But fruit does not grow overnight. Do not be impatient with God and with the Holy Spirit as He develops fruit in your life. It will develop in His time—and what a beautiful day that will be when you bring forth fruit.
Thank You, Father, for the indwelling of Your Holy Spirit. Lord, teach us to be patient as the fruit of Your Spirit begins to develop in our lives.
Amen.