Fruit

I tell you, the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a nation that will produce the proper fruit.

Matthew 21:43 (NLT)

Jesus declared this indictment to his fellow Jews who rejected him. This verse isn't an excuse for anti-Semitism. Jesus himself is Jewish.

The 'nation' that produces the proper fruit isn't a political entity. It's a spiritual community of faith, made up of Jews and Gentiles alike. This nation is the people of God.

The fruit Jesus is looking for is foundationally about having faith in him. People asked him what they must be doing to be doing the work of God. He replied that the work of God is to believe in the one whom he has sent (himself).

If faith is the gateway to spiritual fruitfulness, then the Apostle Paul unpacks the holistic fruit of the Spirit in his letter to the Galatian churches. It starts with love. It includes such qualities as joy, peace and patience.

'Heavenly Father, whether we're Jews or Gentiles, may we worship Jesus as our Messiah/Saviour and Lord. Please help us to bear spiritual fruit for you and your glory. In Christ's name we pray, amen'.

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