Is your fruit ripe?

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Gal 5:22-23

There is so much which can be said regarding the symbolisms of fruit as it is written in Scripture. I wish to concentrate in this post on one aspect of the allegory of fruit, and that is the word ripe as it pertains to believers bearing fruit. I am not referring to the allegory of fruit as it speaks in the Word of knowing whether one is truly of Christ or not. I am speaking of those who are truly born-again of God’s Holy Spirit and saved. Or as the Scriptures also refer to as the elect. I wish to share thoughts regarding knowing when our fruit is fully ripe and ready, and when we have held back from sharing this fruit after it was ready.

First of all, as believers we certainly want to be in this group of people which Jesus referred to here:

But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred. Mark 4:20

And within this group of true believers we should desire to be of those who will bear the most possible fruit through Christ Jesus… The hundredfold.

Also, we must acknowledge that we can not bear any fruit of our own, but all fruit is produced by the True Vine’s Life. Without the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ we are as fruitless as when we were unsaved. For only in and through Him is the will of God played out through our spirit, soul, and body.

Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. Jn 15:4-5

Lord, You will establish peace for us,
For You have also done all our works in us. Is 26:12

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Phil 2:12-13

And fruit by definition must involve the idea of inner growth. If there is no inner growth there is no outer fruit. For we will reap what we sow. If we sow to the Spirit, we will reap from the Spirit eternal life.

Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious. 1Pet 2:1-3

"but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen." 2Pet 3:13

We have the desire to bear fruit for Christ, the acknowledgment that we can not bear fruit without the working of God in us, and the fact that inner nourishment and growth must occur for the fruit to be produced. Lets say we have done all of this and fruit is being produced in us. This fruit is not always visible to others eyes as some fruit comes in the form of godly actions which bless the needs of others or well formed words which edify, encourage, or exhort others. So this type of good fruit has the element of timing to it. Now we need to know when this specific fruit is ripe to share or when it is a bit late in sharing. Consider these words about when the fruit from our lips is ripe for sharing:

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold
In settings of silver. Prov 25:11

A man has joy by the answer of his mouth,
And a word spoken in due season, how good it is! Prov 15:23

“The Lord God has given Me
The tongue of the learned,
That I should know how to speak
A word in season to him who is weary.
He awakens Me morning by morning,
He awakens My ear
To hear as the learned. Is 50:4

And consider these words when it come to the right time to bear the fruit of godly deeds:

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
When it is in the power of your hand to do so.
Do not say to your neighbor,
“Go, and come back,
And tomorrow I will give it,”
When you have it with you. Prov 3:27

The people will curse him who withholds grain,
But blessing will be on the head of him who sells it. Prov 11:26

“looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.” Titus 2:13-14

What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them,
“Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? James 2:14-16

Do not quench the Spirit. 1Thes 5:19

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Ep 4:26

If God has been producing His works in your heart, ask Him to give you the grace to know when to share this fruit and He will move you to do so in due time. If you are sure it is in line with His Word then go forward and do it in His Name.