“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.”
and good fruits,
“Fruit” is something produced by the inherent energy of a living organism. In biblical terms, the fruit is the visible expression of God’s power that works in us and visibly shows itself. It is the supernatural result of God’s working in our lives. This is something that God produces, not man.
Gal. 5:22-23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control.”
Phil. 1:11, “…being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.”
Eph. 5:8-10, “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.”
The word “good” means good of intrinsic value. It is something good in its character or constitution so that it will produce something beneficial in effect. It carries a sense of honor; it is beneficial. The fruit is one thing, but “good” fruit is another.
Rom. 12:21, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Gal. 6:10, “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.”
Eph. 4:28 “Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.”
1 Th. 5:15, “See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.”
1 Pet. 3:13, “And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good?”
3 John 11, “Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God.”
PRINCIPLE:
Fruit is the manifest production of divine viewpoint.
APPLICATION:
It is one thing to extend mercy toward others verbally, but it is another to extend acts of mercy. Words of mercy are one thing, but acts of mercy are something more. The purpose of planting wheat is to produce wheat. It is not enough to plant; we must produce. It is not enough to talk about mercy; we must do mercy.
