What is the spiritual significance of fruit? May we not say that fruit is the expression of Christ in the believer? "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, self-control" (Galatians 5:22,23). Is this not a beautiful description of Christ as He passed through this world? When this fruit is seen in believers, it is the reproduction of Christ in His people. Christ personally has gone from this scene, but it is God's intention that Christ characteristically should be seen in those that are His.

Fruit is not exactly the exercise of gift, nor service, nor work. We are indeed exhorted "to walk worthily of the Lord unto all well-pleasing, bearing fruit in every good work" (Colossians 1:10). This passage shows how closely fruit-bearing is linked with good works, yet clearly distinguishes between them. The good works are to be done in such a Christ-like manner that in the works that benefit man, there will be found fruit acceptable to God. The natural man can do many good works, but in such works there will be found no fruit acceptable to God. If service and work were fruit, it would largely be limited to those who possess gift and ability; but if fruit is the character of Christ, then indeed it becomes a possibility, as well as a privilege, for every believer, from the oldest to the youngest, to bear fruit.

—H. Smith