Last Sunday, the topic of discussion in our church marriage fellowship was Celebrating Fruitfulness in Marriage. It was pointed out that there are two kinds of fruit we are to bear: fruit that lasts into eternity and that which is only for this age. We also learnt that there are different ways of celebrating that fruitfulness, one of which is physical intimacy for those who are married.

The purpose of this article is not to talk about the celebrating, but how to bring forth fruit, because the celebration cannot happen without the fruit to be celebrated. Also, I intend to specifically deal with the fruit that remains (John 15:16). It is good to experience fruitfulness such as more years in marriage, children and job promotions. However, the most important of fruits we are called to manifest is Christlikeness; it is the key desire on God’s heart for us and it will last and be celebrated for all eternity.

Christlikeness, the fruit God is calling us to bring forth in our marriages (and all relationships) is defined in Galatians 5:22,23 NKJV which says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness (and) self-control.” In a marriage, and in every relationship, each party must have the ambition to grow in love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. In fact, we should never use the weaknesses of the other person as excuse for our lack of fruit. On the contrary, the bad in our spouses or those we relate with should be an opportunity for us to grow in the corresponding fruit.

I got born again upon realizing my sin and need of a Savior. I was then washed clean by His blood. That happened in my spirit. However, in my soul and flesh, work is still in progress. Over the years, I have told several people the truth about my life, that I have many issues. My wife is among the few I have not disclosed this to. Why? Because she does not need to be told; she knows me bulungi (very well). Having said that, as I studied my Bible, I got to learn that I can actually change for the better in all my relationships.

If you are like me, having many character flaws, you can progressively grow into the nature of Christ if you want to. By meditating on the Word of God, you can experience that change. Meditation is working for me, it will work for you too. You and I can live lives worthy of our calling in Christ by simply taking heed to the Word of God (Psalms 119:9). The Word will purify our hearts, the place from which everything about us springs.

A while back, I went through the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation and wrote down all verses that relate to love, good morals, character and the fruit of the spirit. I personalized them and began reading them aloud to myself for at least an hour a day for several weeks. During that time, I had this dream: I am in a bookstore. Several people have bought many books. After paying for them, the cashier gives them their balance in very many notes of small denomination, what an ordinary Ugandan would call “a lot of change.” Then I woke up. By that dream, God was telling me, “Your continuous reading aloud of the meditation notes on love and character is causing a lot of change in your life.” Hallelujah.

Brothers and sisters, it is of God that we blow more candles, have more wedding anniversaries, get job promotions and increase financially and materially. However, none of those things will cross into eternity. Indeed God wants to give us all those things, however, love still tops His priority list. We must make love our greatest quest (1 Corinthians 14:1).

In all our relationships, may we bear fruit that remains, the fruit(s) of the spirit; it is that which will be celebrated and rewarded by God in the life to come. One way we can begin to see that fruitfulness is by meditating on the Word of God.

God bless you.