Abiding Fruit
Fruit
Matthew 12:33
Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or
make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit.
NASB
In the final analysis, the fruit we are to produce is holiness. We are to become holy. We are to develop a Christlike character. When we have this character, we will produce the good works of God.
Philippians 2:1-5
1 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ,
if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection
and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love,
beingof one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done
through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each
esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only
for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Let this
mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus
What is the mind of Christ?
It is the mind of God. It is a mind that produces the fruits of God. And the fruits of God is the fruit of the Spirit. When we consider the character of God we realize that fruit is first and foremost an internal attitude or trait. This is the holiness of God. It is this holiness that springs into actions that may be seen by others. The character is the Christian is to be comprised of this fruit of God. And, it is given to every believer!
Galatians 5:22-23
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control.
Against such there is no law.
We are to grow in these internal character traits. This is growing in holiness. Each Christian receives the fruit of the Spirit at his or her salvation. But, we need to develop this fruit so that it causes us to spring into outward action - to produce fruit that the rest of the world may see. Holiness is the fruit to be produced. When have thus grown, we will then be able to produce more tangible fruits for God's kingdom, as we are also commanded to do.
Ephesians 2:10
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus
for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Notice that the good works are prepared beforehand by God for us to walk in them. We do this, according to Jesus, by always abiding in Him, by walking in the Spirit.
