Galatians 5:22-23

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

These are the tangible graces that can be consumed by others in our lives. In my past a teacher said that the tree does not produce fruit by effort but rather by nature. We have a new nature because of the presence of the Holy Spirit.

It did not occur to me at the time but I ask now, “Does the tree feel the fruit it produces?”

These fruits are produced to be enjoyed by those around us. A tree does not consume its own fruit. I am not even sure that the tree is even aware of the process of fruit production.

Jeremiah 17:8

He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.”

Nor is the tree responsible for where it is planted.

Our old nature likes to take credit for any effort we have accomplished. That is in the world but when we became Kingdom dwellers, it is not because of anything we have done except perhaps surrendered to our Lord. It is time to stop taking credit and honor God.

I almost said glorify God but the truth of glory is that glory is the essence of Jesus Christ manifested through the vessels wherein He dwells. It is the example of the cup which is not able to pour itself out, it requires the touch of the Master’s hand. Once again, we cannot take credit for that.

Galatians 2:20

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

We sacrifice our life so that He can live through us. Glorifying God in that way is possible.

1 Corinthians 13:13

So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

We have chapter 13 that tells us how love acts and it is the most important aspect of this relationship with our God but many of us see love as an emotion. God is love and discovering just how much He loves us is often seen in the big things He has done for us. It can be seen as the motivation behind the actions He takes.

If a person never knew love in their life it is an overwhelming concept to discover so great a love. Recognition of just how God loves us may well be recognized in the tangible aspects of grace.

Promises are not real to us until they are activated. Tangible grace allows us to translate agape love into aspects of peace, understanding, trust, hope and sharing. Sharing the love of God in itself is a tangible grace because the transformation from sinner to saint presents itself as a witness of God’s power to make a tangible difference in our lives.

Tangible grace makes the love of God real to others because they can see it in us.

John 1:16

For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.

Grace is the love of God that keeps on giving because we grow in grace the longer we follow Jesus.

2 Peter 3:18

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

To know Him is to love Him and to love Him is to love what He loves. Grace allows us to do that and is the tangible aspect of love, seen by those who need to see His love.

John 15:16

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.

Grace is the tangible fruit of the spirit which others can see, touch and taste.