Vinita Bhalla 

A popular Christian song goes like this "Holiness is what I need, Holiness is what I want"

We all aim for goodness, holiness, perfection. Every effort /work of ours is directed towards being good or at least appearing to be good. All human beings strive towards being known as a 'good person' and most of our endeavours and efforts, whether we are Christian or not are aimed towards being a 'good father', a 'good worker', a 'good Christian', a 'good mother' and so on in the eyes of others and ourselves who are around us.

When we examine the concept of 'goodness' and a person who is good as opposed to an evil or a bad person , we find much contrast, For example one exploits while the other encourages; the one hates while the other loves; the one incites discord while the other produces joy and peace; the one divides while the other unites; the one hurts while the other heals; the one is full of pride while the other is full of humility; the one abandons while the rescues (GaI.5: 21 ,22)

All these qualities of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control are manifestations of what is called the Fruit of the Spirit as mentioned in the book of Galatians 5:22 and this desire to be 'Good' is in fact a confirmation of the command which we receive in the Word of God to bear good fruit and fruit which will last (In.15: 16)

It is obvious to any person that the fruit is dependent on the tree on which it is found. Mathew tells us this very clearly; that every good tree bears good fruit but a bad tree bears bad fruit and common sense tells us that grapes are found on grape bushes and thistles on thorn bushes.

If we take this argument one step forward we discover that the tree in itself can do nothing about the fruit it bears , but it is the seed which determines not only the variety of the tree, but also the quality of that tree and the type of fruit which will be found on it. Galatians6: 7 tells us as we sow, so shall we reap. A good seed, when sown produces a good tree that in turn bears a good fruit. Only a good seed can ensure that the fruit is better than fine gold and what I yield surpasses choice silver (Prov.8: 19).

Let us now ask which is this Good Seed that needs to be sown for it to reap good fruit ?

The Bible tells us that this 'Seed' is the seed of Abraham for" the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed "(GaI.3: 16) and through faith in Christ this seed becomes ours because we clothe ourselves with Christ when we are baptized into Christ. (GaI.3: 26,27). We are then crucified with Christ and it is no longer we who live but Christ who lives in us. (GaI.2: 20). If we belong to Christ, then we are Abraham's seed and heirs according to the promise of the Spirit. (GaI.3: 29, 3:14). This Spirit when sown as seed brings forth the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control in our tree of life.

Fruit does not grow on anything that is dead. A living plant produces fruit. The fruit of the Spirit is produced in one who is alive in Christ, not in one who is dead in transgressions and sins. Our fruit for God is sweet and pleasing when we are rooted in righteousness, draw from the springs of living water, are well fed on God's living Word.