Compare the size of the pears on the left, to the ones on the on the right. They came from the same tree.  What made the difference?

The grafting of new wood.  A new twig, more abundant source of fruit, was grafted onto the tree.  It had to be received by the tree, then healed to the tree, then allowed to grow with the tree.  After a period of time, a harvest is seen from the new fruit growing together with the tree.

It may be just me, but isn’t this a great example of BEING a Christian.  We have to receive the Holy Spirit, be “healed” (or the churchy word “saved”), then allowed to grow spiritually.  After a period of time we begin to see the fruits of harvest.

Galatians 5:22 NIV But the fruit of the Spirit is love,joy, peace, patience, kindness,goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.

Check out this translation.       Galatians 5:22The Message (MSG)^22-23 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, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.

The tree(you) gets to decide which fruit to grow.  I’ve made my decision to bear abundantly by being “grafted” by the Holy Spirit and (churchy word) “saved”.

What decision have you made?

p.s. While writing this, I’m having toast and homemade pear butter for breakfast!!  Can’t beat that!!!

See Ya!!  Dan Ainsworth  wildernesspreacher.com

for more on grafting, go to the Archived story on June 1st Did God Just Cut You Off?