The First Fruit

A new Pastor, at his first weekly Bible study session, asked a question: “Who can tell me what the first fruit…?”

The words were barely out of his mouth before the hands of those eager to show off their biblical knowledge, sprung up. Hesitant but curious, the Pastor decided to indulge their agitation and pointed to sister Millie, a devoted Bible study attendee, “I never miss it, rain or shine” was her usual assertion; with a smug grin, she stood and said, “The apple…from the tree…in the Garden of Eden.” Then, looking from left to right at the others who shared the pew, took her seat, satisfied with her answer.

Next, brother Howard, the choir master “for well over two decades” was his proud declaration, cleared his throat, stood up and said, “Well, it can only be the first fruits presented to the prophet Elisha as recorded in 2 Kings 4:42, yes, Elisha, second Kings.” Stressing unnecessarily on the “d” in second, he seemed to marvel at his own brilliance, he then surveyed the room looking at no-one in particular, cleared his throat for no seeable reason, and sat down.

Pastor pursed his lips and motioned respectfully to Mrs. Watts the elder, her daughter-in-law was the younger. Her always well-manicured hand was raised high above her always bewigged head. The elder did not stand as she offered, with much dignity and exaltation, “The fig of the fig-less fig tree.” With a contemptuous smirk of utter self-satisfaction, and stroking her gold-engraved Bible cover, she looked at each face yet did not even notice the expression of sheer horror that had possessed the Pastor’s.

 

At this point, their new Pastor had heard more than he could stomach, and quickly composing himself, he asked, deliberately and slowly, “Now, who…can tell me…what…the first fruit…of the Spirit is?” Not a hand went up. The pang of disappointment that stabbed his heart came as a surprise. Ignoring it, he pressed on, “Please, turn to Galatians 5:22.” Pages fluttered as everyone searched for the epistle. He read aloud from his Bible…

“But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others…” (MSG)

Now it was his turn to look around at those in attendance, hoping that the words might evoke some understanding but all he saw were blank faces. Silence pervaded the atmosphere, as the Pastor, his voice almost a whisper, said, “Love”. An unexpected wave of compassion filled his heart as he continued to speak to them...

“Love is the first fruit that Paul lists in Galatians five. The first fruit that we must all bear before we are able to bear any of the others on that list. First Corinthians thirteen, verses four and five…Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily. It is not conceited, arrogant and inflated with pride; it is not rude, unmannerly, and does not act unbecomingly. Love, God’s love in us, does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful…” (AMPC)

Pausing for a moment, the Pastor prayed silently for the seed of God’s Word to find root in their hearts, for what he had just witnessed made him realize that these devout and ardent church-goers were only that – church-goers. This was a congregation that did its duty. They attended weekly Bible study without fail; they attended church every Sunday without fail; leaders and stewards; choir and committee members; organizers of tea parties and fundraisers. They were all good Christian folk who did not know what the first fruit of the Spirit is. 

Good Christians who were not concerned about “things like affection for others”, but were focused on things to do. They were good church-going Christian people who had no understanding of the Word. Regular church-goers consistently feeding on candy-bar Christianity – sweet but containing no nutritional value. People in church but not the Church.

The Pastor, from this brief interaction, recognized that much was lacking, most of all the very first element that comprised the fruit of the Holy Spirit, Love. He became keenly aware that these were people who, perhaps, over the years, had lost sight of what was really important. 

Have you lost sight of what’s really important? Have you replaced the first fruit of love with fig-less-ness? 

Each one of us is called to love – “to love God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength, and to love others in the same way you love yourself. There are no commandments more important than these.” (Mark 12:30, 31 VOICE)

Beloved, it is not easy to love but God is love and if we are His, then we must learn how to authentically love. Receiving His love will enable us to give love, for the source of our love lies not in ourselves but in the One who is Love. “First we were loved, now we love. He loved us first.” (1 John 4:19 MSG).

Amen†

The First Fruit

Shelley Johnson July 20, 2017