Of Trees and Fruit

Uncle Chiong Seng in his sharing last week struck a chord. He said that we often become so engrossed by the manifestations of the Spirit, and yet, show no interest in the fruit of the Spirit. Like the Jews of old, we too can be excited by signs and miracles. The constant refrain of the Jews was “show us a sign”. Many followed the Lord to see and feed at His miracles. And we may not be far behind or different. Yet it is in the fruit of the Spirit that really matters. Of a truth, its by the fruit, that a tree is known.

He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers (Psa 1:3)

In the Old Testament, the focus and depiction of blessedness was more towards the tree being well-watered, well-leafed and prospering; fruit-bearing was perhaps scantily alluded to in “the yielding in its season”. Or perhaps it is in our human nature, to so read the psalm, in such a way, that it favors ourselves the more. The deceit of our hearts?

And he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. And he said to the vinedresser, 'Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?' And he answered him, 'Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure.Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.'"(Luk 13:6-9)

In the morning, as he was returning to the city, he became hungry. And seeing a fig tree by the wayside, he went to it and found nothing on it but only leaves. And he said to it, "May no fruit ever come from you again!" And the fig tree withered at once. (Mat 21:18-19)

The Lord is much more exact and severe in His assessment. He certainly leaves no doubt in His requirement and disposal; bear fruit or else!

To think, that a tree, taking up space in a vineyard, being well watered, well-manured, in the sunshine of His love, tended to by the Vinedresser, never knowing drought and prospering; full of promising leaves yet bearing no fruit. A sterile tree? A rogue plant?

And although fruit bearing, is not quite about service and ministry, it does however evidence itself through service and ministry!

You will recognize them by their fruits. (Mat 7:16)

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (Gal 5:22-23)

Let us by His grace, bear the fruit of His Spirit.


God bless.

/ckh