Fruit That Lasts

Monday, October 6

Galatians 5:22-24 (NKJV)

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”

Devotion

Every life bears fruit. The question is not if but what kind. The flesh produces its fruit: envy, pride, impurity, selfish ambition. It promises gain but only breeds loss. But the Spirit produces another kind, the very character of Christ himself, growing in and through us.

Fruit doesn’t appear overnight. It is formed in seasons of abiding. Jesus said, “I am the vine, you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit” (John 15:5). Abiding doesn’t look flashy. It looks steady.

Day after day, surrender after surrender. And slowly, love takes root. Joy deepens. Peace anchors. Patience holds. Kindness softens. Goodness shines. Faithfulness stays. Gentleness calms. Self-control strengthens.

This is not fruit we manufacture, it’s fruit he cultivates. Because we’ve crucified the flesh, and in dying to self, Christ’s life rises in us. And this is the fruit that lasts. Not temporary. Not seasonal. Not surface. But eternal fruit that remains long after we’re gone (John 15:16).

So ask yourself: What am I bearing? Fruit of the flesh that withers? Or fruit of the Spirit that endures?

Abide. Yield to Jesus. Let him live through you. Because the vine always produces what it is. And he is love, joy, peace… forever.

Today's Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,

Teach me to abide in You, to rest in Your vine so Your life flows through mine. Uproot the fruit of the flesh, and cultivate in me love, joy, peace. Let patience steady me, kindness soften me, goodness shine through me. Make faithfulness my anchor, gentleness my posture, self-control my strength. I cannot bear this fruit on my own. So I surrender to Your Spirit. Live through me, Jesus, that my life would bear fruit that lasts. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Apply It Today

The greatest commandment begins: Love the Lord your God… and the second greatest commandment is: Love your neighbor as yourself. God intends there to be joy in this journey. As you live out love for God and others, how can you have more joy? Here is a way to start: 1) ask for joy in prayer, 2) rejoice that your name is written down in heaven (Luke 10:20), and 3) give thanks for the people you have the opportunity to love.

Resources

• If you missed yesterday’s inspirational message titled, “Protect Your Joy”, here’s an opportunity for you to do so and be blessed.

• A practical way to live out the fruit of the Spirit is through serving. Join one of our Serve Teams today and walk in the fruit of the Spirit.