Don't Rush the Harvest

“By their fruit you will recognize them.”  

Matthew 7:16

A tree is known by its fruit is metaphorically comparing a fruit bearing tree to someone’s character. This phrase comes from Matthew where Jesus explains we are known by the fruit we produce.

One of my fondest memories growing up was going to our family reunion each year. After church, everyone began setting out homemade food on the row of tables placed under the shade trees. It was a bounty of delicious goodies. When we were through eating, my uncle would take us kids across the road to the old homeplace to pick grapes. These vines would be loaded with huge scuppernong grapes. They all looked ripe but it didn’t take me long to realize only the greenish-gold translucent ones would be sweet. 

Jesus loved to speak in parables because it made His stories so relatable and easier to apply His truths into everyday life. In Matthew 7:15-20, Jesus talks about the fruit a tree bears but He’s actually referring to the fruit we produce. Our character (fruit) we reveal to others should reflect Christlike behavior. So as a believer, why is so difficult to consistently exemplify God’s character traits? I know in my head what God says but I can so relate to what Paul says in Romans 7:15, “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do, I do not do, but what I hate, I do.” I know I struggle with a rebellious nature, especially when things are not working out the way I think they should. But when I  surrender to His will, I’m consciously abiding in the Vine of Christ and more and more of His character will grow in me.

I think as believers we are much like the grapes hanging on those vines. From the outside, we may look like we’re ready to be harvested, but in reality, the Lord is still preparing us for the call. He is developing us at different stages so we can reflect the nine fruit of His Spirit. Notice it is singularly “fruit” not “fruits” because love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control are intertwined to produce the virtues of a Christ follower. He’s simply asking us to be patient during the process because we will be known by the fruit we produce. What fruit do you need to improve? Which is your sweetest fruit?