On the Road to Pentecost: Bearing Fruit

 

Galatians 5:22, 23 (NLT)

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. 

When we allow the Holy Spirit to take control of our lives, this is the fruit that He will bear in us. This fruit of many flavours contains life changing properties and is the first indication of our inner transformation. However, change often brings discomfort. Our inner transformation is not an easy process but is worth everything that we have to face.

Think of a tree; the more fruit a tree has, the more it gets stoned, shaken, climbed and abused. Branches are tugged at, pulled and even broken. The sweeter the fruit, the worse the abuse.

We too will have to endure such suffering as the Holy Spirit changes us and we begin to bear the sweet fruit of the Spirit. Thankfully, God gives us grace to endure whatever we have to go through to make us over.

In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. – 1 Peter 5:10 (NLT)

God encourages us to stay in faith, co-operate with His Holy Spirit, be steadfast and persevere, as He works to recreate us.

In just a few days, this present journey on the road to Pentecost will culminate on the Day of Pentecost, but the spiritual journey continues; the road to inner transformation is never-ending, and if you choose to remain on this road, soon enough, like a tree in its season, you will be bearing fruit.

That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
    which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
    whatever they do prospers.

(Psalm 1:3 NIV)

Amen †  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shelley Johnson “On the Road to Pentecost: Bearing Fruit” © 2013 revisited June 4, 2025