“…I have chosen you, that you should bring forth fruit.” (John 15:16)
The last words of a person are important, especially if they’re dying or saying a final farewell; for example, my mother's last words inspired me to write her memoir.
On the night before Jesus died on the cross, he provided comfort,
“I will ask the Father, and He will send you another Helper to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth. He will dwell with you and will be in you.” (John 14:16)
And a mission directive:
“…go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15)
When we accept Christ as our Savior, we are filled with the Spirit, we walk in the Spirit, and we receive the fruit of the Spirit, so that we can be effective witnesses to His name.
Though we speak of “the fruits of the Spirit,” the singular form, “fruit,” is more accurate, likened to a cluster of grapes with distinct attributes residing in the individual pieces. The cluster is rooted in Love, and all the attributes grow out of Love. It’s the basis for our relationships and the transformative power given us by the Spirit.
“For anything to be good, truly good, there must be Love in it.” ("Theo of Golden" by Allen Levi)
Evidence that we are filled with the fruit (Love) and the fruits of the Spirit (attributes) can be found in three areas of our lives, according to "The Spirit Code" by O. S. Hawkins:
1. Upward relationship – If we are filled with the Spirit, the attributes of love, joy and peace will be evidenced in our countenance, written on our faces.
In the book "Theo of Golden," faces and countenances represent the beauty of human connection and the importance of truly "seeing" the people around you. In this book, Theo operates on the premise that God gave us faces so we can see each other better. Everyone is carrying a story you know nothing about. Paying close attention to a person’s countenance allows you to recognize their silent joys and hidden sorrows.
2. Outward relationships – patience, kindness and goodness will be evidenced in our conduct, so that others will want to be like us. We are to live intentionally with integrity; our conversations, like salt, engaging, wholesome and truthful, as one beggar sharing with another beggar where to get food: “Walk in wisdom toward outsiders {unbelievers}, redeeming the time. Let your speech be with grace, seasoned with salt.” (Colossians 4: 5-6)
3. Inner relationship – obedience, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control will be evidenced in our character. And who we are inside manifests itself in our relationships. One cannot be dishonest with oneself and deal honestly with others; one cannot store hate in their heart and show love towards another. “Developing character is both a discipline and an art.” (Anon)
This is why A.W. Tozer’s rules for self-discovery, which we have been examining, are important. Here’s Rule #3: “Who do I admire the most?” The people we look up to and want to be like tell us a lot about ourselves and who we are striving to be.
Witnessing for Christ requires words, yet what we convey in our countenance, conduct, and character is equally important. Are we bearing fruit for Christ?
Do others see love, joy and peace in my face?
Would those I come into contact with want to be like me?
Am I working daily on my life, becoming more like Jesus in thought, word and deed?
