His love, His comfort, and His fruit by Krystal Born
I was reading my devotional of the day from Henri Nouwen’s book You are the Beloved when I read this sentence; “We are called to give our lives to others, so you and I can bear fruit.” It encouraged me to go deeper and to reflect on giving one’s life to others in service and the fruit of the Spirit.
Throughout Scripture, God calls those who love and follow Him to love and serve one another. Jesus demonstrated it perfectly for us through different ways – from doing the simple yet profound way of washing His disciples’ feet to the ultimate show of love – dying for us so that we may be washed clean from our sins and brought into His kingdom.
We are cleaned from His sacrifice. As believers, we have accepted this and given the Spirit. Galatians 5 reads of Christian freedom, of life in the Spirit vs. the flesh, and of the fruits of the Spirit. First, we have been set free. But this freedom, Christian freedom, is a gift; however, it is also a demand. It is living life in the presence of God, being led and guided by the Spirit. We ask for the wisdom of the Spirit that guides us in this life. “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is, first of all, pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” (James 3:17)
A believer is actively and purposefully walking on the path of the Holy Spirit. Walking with the Spirit we are being supernaturally transformed internally and externally. It is to become like Christ, following His teachings and personhood. It is to use this freedom to serve in His Kingdom. “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.” (Galatians 5:13)
Repeatedly, in the last two chapters of Galatians, Paul talks against self-indulgence and instead states that loving one’s neighbor, serving one’s neighbor, and bearing another’s burden fulfill the law of Christ. God has given humanity an opportunity to come into his family through his love for us, so that we can love him and love and serve our fellow neighbor.
The freedom God has given each believer is Spirit-filled to equip each believer to grow in holiness. The believer is supernaturally filled with the Spirit to grow in holiness, but it also requires discipline and maturity. It takes a lifetime of acquiring and growing to be like Christ. The fruit of the Spirit grows organically; it is not about a believer’s might or earning God’s love. But rather it is dwelling in the Holy Spirit and a daily relationship with God. This daily walking and dwelling in the presence of God are transformational. Serving others is transformational. And we can visibly see this transformation through the fruit of the Spirit. You will be recognized by your fruit (Mattew 7:16-20).
The fruit listed is expected to be manifested in a Christian life and a Christian community. These are characteristics of Christ that grow supernaturally in every believer that is walking with the Spirit. Love is to be at the forefront of it all. It fulfills the law because of faith working through love in the community (Gal 5:6, 14). The fruit of the Spirit is a portrait of what life looks like in the Spirit. This life builds community. This is the fruit that is planted by the hearing of the good news, is nurtured in the community, and is brought to consummation by the goodness of God. This new life gives believers the freedom to love unconditionally, serve, and build up people around them.
“You did not choose me but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit – fruit that will last – and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other.” Luke 15:16-17. These verses come at the end of the Vine and the Branches discourse. Abiding. It has been a word dear to my heart – abiding in the true vine. Abiding so that we may know the true love of God. Abiding so we may be transformed. Abiding so that we may bear the fruit of the Spirit in service to God and our neighbors. The fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23a).
I reflect on these fruits in my own life and the community I have been called to serve. Jesus chose me, He appointed me to go (to wherever he calls) and bear fruit. Just as He called everyone who follows Him. God called me in 2016 to go to Asbury University; I said yes to that call. I said yes to the call to serve in missions. I said yes to the call to serve in Word Made Flesh Moldova in 2019. I reflect on how Covid began in 2020. It derailed the plans to do my 3-month internship and ultimately move. However, during that time, I abided in God’s word, in prayer, and a virtual community, and He grew in me a supernatural patience and forbearance.
February 24th of 2022, a little over a month after I had moved to Moldova, marked the start of the War in Ukraine. Amid such loss, tragedy, uncertainty, and many other feelings, there was a sense of peace beyond understanding that I experienced. God had called me and led me to this time in Moldova. As Ukrainians poured into Moldova, we decided as a community and through God’s guidance to serve Ukrainians and to continue to serve our kids and their families. I saw the community bearing each other’s burdens. I saw love, kindness, goodness, and gentleness thrive. I saw, despite such great sorrow, moments of joy that could only be explained by the presence of God being manifested in an Agape type of love for God and for each other. I saw the faithfulness of Word Made Flesh Moldova in the continued service to our neighbors and continued to stand firmly in this service. I saw the kindness and goodness of our WMF community and our supporters.
God never says that serving Him will be easy; in fact, the opposite, we will face many trials and tribulations. But He gives us Himself and His fruit to continue to walk forward. As I walk through the grief of losing my father and grandfather this year, I am dedicated to being faithful in serving God and serving others. His love, His comfort, and His fruit, as well as the comfort and guidance of many who have been in my life and who He has brought into my life this past couple of years, have been the sustaining force to continue my walk and service with Him.
Thank you all for the service that you do. I love hearing the stories of how God is moving His servants to serve and the fruits that come forth.