Identify

There are certain traits Mr. Bill says I “come by” quite honestly. In other words, family characteristics I “inherited,” and I don’ think he is referring to good looks or keen intellect! For example, I admit I have quite the inquiring mind but he describes it as … nosy. Whatever!

When I was a teenager, we sang a song titled, “They’ll Know We Are Christians by Our Love.” I’m not sure the world can rightly identify Christians these days, but the ABSENCE of love and kindness is easily recognized! Some fruits are out-of-season which makes it a little more tricky in the produce section of the grocery store, and in the world recognizing good “fruit” as described in Galatians 5:22-23: characteristics (or fruits) of Christ -- love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Now, don’t count on getting up in the morning and announcing, “I’m going to be fruitful today,” as in having only Godly traits. That could possibly last until you encounter the first unloving, impatient, unkind, or out-of-control person – if it lasts that long! Yep, so much for that announcement! Genuine fruits of Christ are rooted in His fullness inside us: a heart-full of Jesus! Impossible? Not at all: “And in Him you have been made complete … “ (Colossians 2:10) Such character traits become a showcase for Christ in our lives. This shows the world WHO we are and TO WHOM we belong. Christians never need suffer an identity crisis: identify with Christ and bear His fruit!