The challenge to bear fruits that demonstrate that we have repented or changed our lives so that we can recognize Christ in our midst is not a new problem for the church. In Paul’s letter to the Colossians, the very fact that he must warn them about such characteristics as “anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive language from your mouth” (Colossians 3:8) is evidence that such “fruits of the flesh” exist within the Body of Christ.
Yet they can also hear the admonition, “as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” (Colossians 3:12-14) This is not just an idealistic list. Rather it is a practical list of behaviors that at any given time we can practice.
The daily life of the church provides us plenty of opportunities to exhibit either fruits of the flesh or fruits of the spirit. There is no church experience, however uplifting or disheartening, in which as members we cannot choose to respond with one type of fruit or the other. Each time we are tempted to bear fruits of the flesh but are able to demonstrate these “fruits of the Spirit” , we give testimony to being the Body of Christ.
