Fruit For every tree there is a specific fruit that it will bear. It would be great if you could come up with a single one that produced all the fruit you desire – apples, oranges, lemons, pears, etc. Each branch could just do its own thing and be unique from all the other branches. But this is not how it works. You only get one result with every type of tree. If you’re wanting all the different fruits, a single tree must be planted exclusively for each. In order to obtain the benefits from all of the fruit, there will be a significant portion of land apportioned to the nurture and care of all the trees. What would really be great is if you could just have one tree with the benefits of all included in just one fruit. Then, everything produced on that one tree would directly reflect this all-inclusive package of nutrients. I know, a bit of a stretch – but… This is actually what we get in the Spirit, one packaged fruit, produced by all that are connected to the Tree of Life in Christ. In this one produce is found nine different individual fruit, each of which provides a display of God’s nature and blessing. It is not possible to really be joined with such an incredible source of life without representing Him. It’s in the display of this multi-beneficial fruit that we are known as those who are really connected with the Great I Am, not just in name, but in heart. This will come as a powerful work of the Spirit, not by our own effort, but as the result of where we draw our life. To pursue and know the heart of God is to connected by the Spirit with love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Our joining with Him will be observable to all those around as evidence of His nearness. Notes Tree identified by its fruit Luke 6:43-45 43 "For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. 44 For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush. 45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. Can only produce one James 3:10-12 10 Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? 12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh. Connecting to the Father’s heart produces Spirit fruit 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. Love John 13:35 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." Certainty of His love – by the Spirit 1 John 4:10-13 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. 13 By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. The pouring of love establishes hope in faith Romans 5:5 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Knowing love passes knowledge to fullness of God Ephesians 3:19 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Joy Known in the world by our deliverance-producing joy Psalms 126:1-2 1 A Song of Ascents. When the LORD brought back the captivity of Zion, We were like those who dream. 2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter, And our tongue with singing. Then they said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.” Joy is established in righteousness Jude 1:24 24 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, Discovery of true life – in His presence Psalms 16:11 11 You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. With spiritual discovery – not solemnity, but joy Nehemiah 8:10 10 Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” From the Father – a people presented with joy Psalms 105:43 43 He brought out His people with joy, His chosen ones with gladness. God’s purpose in us - joy Isaiah 65:19 19 I will rejoice in Jerusalem, And joy in My people; The voice of weeping shall no longer be heard in her, Nor the voice of crying. Peace Contrast of the world’s perspective with God’s peace One can dictate a peace; shalom is a mutual agreement. Peace is a temporary pact; shalom is a permanent agreement. One can make a peace treaty; shalom is the condition of peace. Peace can be negative, the absence of commotion. Shalom is positive, the presence of serenity. Peace can be partial; shalom is whole. Peace can be piecemeal; shalom is complete. Any disruptions/divisions of peace – dealt with by the blood Ephesians 2:13-14 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, Already ours – is a guarded perfection with a fixed mind. Isaiah 26:3 3 You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. Loving the words received in His presence removes peace-disabling offense. Psalms 119:165 165 There is such a great peace and well-being that comes to the lovers of your word, and they will never be offended. Taking any challenge to peace into the presence of the Lord applies the Spirit’s fruit to it Philippians 4:6-7 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. The world / tribulation; In Him – overcoming peace John 16:33 33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." Overview: The fruit produced identifies the tree from which it grew. Only one type of fruit is produced by each source. To whom we’re connected is evidenced in our fruit – either the flesh or the Spirit. Our purpose – not to produce the fruit, but to pursue the heart of the Father by the Spirit. Production of the Spirit’s fruit – our confident participation by faith. Love identifies us as His. Joy is the outward display of inward deliverance. Peace is the removal of offense in the presence of our Redeemer. Our connected identity – is validated by our fruit. Prayer: I’m so grateful for the direct access I’ve been given by the blood to the wonder of Your presence. It’s there at Your side that who You are overwhelms all of me with Your transforming Spirit. Flood me once again with Your fruit-producing life till all of me reflects only You and Your nature. I have great confidence and trust in Your Spirit’s working in me now. Declarations: In Christ I have been joined exclusively to the heart of the Father for my fruit source. In the presence of the Lord and in the meditation on His Word I am transformed from flesh-producing to Spirit-producing fruit. The love I have received in my Father’s embrace has filled me with love that overflows to all those around me. All of salvation’s provision of deliverance, righteousness and purpose produces a continual production of joy unspeakable and full of glory. All power of offense to rob me of peace has been demolished by the Prince of Peace, as mine is perfected in Him.