Those of us that live
in California's Central Valley are blessed by having an abundance of fruit
available. From large supermarkets to small roadside fruit stands an
abundance of fruit is made available all year long. In a setting like this
it is easy to take fruit for granted. If we step back in time to the First
Century, we will find a different setting. Famines were an annual threat.
Pestilence could wipe out a crop. Without the refrigeration we have today
fruit spoiled quickly. Fruit was an important and precious commodity.
In this setting Paul writes about the "fruit of the spirit" which will
nourish those around us. Please take a moment now to have someone read aloud
Galatians 6:14-25.
It sounds as though Paul is talking about two types of orchards. One has not
been tended. The weeds and briars have taken over. The fruit has dried up or
turned bitter. The owner sees this and knows that the ones he left to tend
this orchard have failed in their job so he abandons that orchard to the
weeds.
The other orchard, though, is well tended. The husbandman has been in touch
with the owner and has received specific instructions on how to tend this
orchard. It is well watered. The weeds have been rooted out. The trees are
pruned at the right time. The fruit is large and sweet and is the delight of
all who partake. This orchard the Lord of the Manor takes pride in and
visits often.
I don't know about you, but I want my orchard to be like the second one. How
does my orchard become a fruitful place. Well, Galatians 6.25 gives us the
key: "If we live in the spirit, let us also walk in the spirit." During this
series of lessons we will learn about being fruitful Christians. We will see
how we are called to "Bear Fruit in Season," how to prepare the ground for
planting, what causes barrenness, what each of the fruit are like, and we
will meet once again in a fresh way the husbandman who is patiently tending
our orchard producing sweet, nourishing fruit to feed a hungry world.