“We live in such a way that no one will stumble because of us, and no one will find fault with our ministry. In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind.”
2 Corinthians 6:3-4 NLT
I don’t know about you, but I am not the most patient person in the world. I can easily wait for big things such as vacations, holidays, family gatherings, etc., but it is the little things that happen every day as I interact with others that tries my patience the most. Sitting on hold and then getting the representative that is not able to help me. Standing in line at the grocery store with the slowest cashier. Being kind to the person who was just so rude to me! Being agitated in conversations. Any one of these can bring out the worst in me as my annoyance and frustration builds, and I become tempted to take it out on the person I am interacting with.
I am quite sure that I am not alone in this because we live in an impatient society. When things don’t go as smoothly or as quickly as we expect them to, we find ourselves struggling for sweet words, kind acts, and gracious responses.
Patience is the quality to tolerate such things without getting angry or complaining. It not only plays a big part in how we respond to annoyance, delay, suffering, or pain, but it also plays a big part in how we project ourselves to others. And when we react out of frustration rather than respond with forbearance, we provide only the benefit of temporary relief for ourselves.
But just as Christ’s desire was not for His own will to be done, our desire should always be what benefits others as well. As followers of Christ being made in His image, when our image does not reflect His, we discredit who we say we are, and many times, unfortunately, it tarnishes the truth of who He says He is. In 2 Corinthians, Paul reminds us to “live in such a way that no one will stumble because of us, and no one will find fault with our ministry” (2 Cor 6:3).
“We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love. We faithfully preach the truth. God’s power is working in us” .
2 Corinthians 6:6-7
Patience is not an easy thing to cultivate though. Our human nature makes it difficult to pursue peace, but as God’s chosen people, we should clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience (Col 3:12). And because patience is a Fruit of the Spirit, it IS something that we can develop. That does not mean that when we first believe we automatically have patience. No, it means that as we allow the Spirit to work in us, the fruit of patience begins to grow. Slowly but surely, it begins to enlarge the way that God would like us to deal with things and decreases the way that we would deal with them ourselves.
“We serve God whether people honor us or despise us, whether they slander us or praise us”. 10“Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others”.
2 Corinthians 6:8,10
Fruit that hangs on a tree does nothing for the tree. But when it is mature and ripe it brings pleasure to others. God does not develop our fruit for us to just let it hang. He matures it so that we can serve and honor Him with joy, sharing His goodness with the world.
I find the words of Edmund Burke to be so true – “our patience will achieve more than our force” – and when we allow the Spirit to help us, even in our weakest moments, we too can achieve more! The pleasure others receive when we respond with good fruit will be much greater than the punch they feel when we react on our own. And the joy we receive will be much better than the regret we ruminate later. But most of all, when we share our ripened fruit of patience, we elevate the grace of God, making sure that no one misses out on His goodness.
Developing patience, well, takes patience. But the more you practice it, the easier it gets and the better it feels for everyone involved. Look for ways today that you can share the goodness of God by giving your fruit away as a representative of the Lord Jesus Christ (Col 3:17).
12 words
Our goal should be what benefits others, reflecting the image of Christ.
Lord God, thank you for your good fruit that you grow in us through your Spirit. Help me to learn to be patient so that I can be kind, even when I don’t want to, so that no one misses your grace because of me. God, even when others are grumpy or slow, ESPECIALLY when others are grumpy or slow, help me to honor you with sweet words, kind acts, and patient responses. Amen.
Scripture Reflection:
2 Corinthians 6:3-10
Colossians 3:12-17
Galatians 6:8-10
2 thoughts on “Sharing Good Fruit”
Wonderful devotional (as always) Susan! As you said, patience (or the lack of patience) is something that we all seem to deal with at times. Asking for patience to grow within us, particularly as we deal with others, is important so that as we go about our day, encountering others, we can reflect the love of Christ. Thank you for your wonderful, inspired words.
Thank you, Susan, for tackling the tough subject matter of patience. I believe our patience level can and does effect the fruit we produce. I think when people see us act or react to our personal circumstances in a way other than how the Bible teaches Christ would have, it takes away their hope on that subject; hope that, if they apply themselves to God’s word, they too can be successful at being patient. If we can display that God has made a difference in us, having developed patience, then they can believe there is hope for them as well! And thus we have set the example of being “Christ like.”