photo via L. Marie

The Bible includes a lot of references to "bearing fruit" (Luke 3:8; John 15:16; Rom 7:4; Col 1:6). But these verses aren’t about apples and bananas. Let's take a look at what God means when he speaks about fruit:

Fruit of the Spirit

Galatians 5 says, "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control" (v. 22–23). In one sense, bearing fruit means exhibiting these characteristics in your life.

Good Works

The Apostle Paul prayed for Christians to be "bearing fruit in every good work" (Col 1:9). It’s important to remember that good works do not earn our salvation, but they are the fruit of it. We are "saved by grace through faith to good works" (Eph 2:8–10).

Spiritual Gifts

Fruit also includes our "firstfruits," the things God has given us to use for his glory (Prov 3:9). How are we using our time, our treasure, and our talent? God has blessed us with a lot—as individuals and as a church—and he will hold us accountable for what we do with our stuff.

Mission

Ultimately, fruit equals mission. God is on a mission, sending Jesus to love us and redeem us. When he conquered death he became the firstfruits of this mission (1 Cor 5:20–23), which we’ve now inherited: to go make disciples, plant churches, and get out there to tell the world the good news. Fruit is God’s mission advancing: lives changed and people meeting Jesus. Up next, how we bear fruit.