I need to admit I’ve got to learn more than I teach. I know I can only teach what I’ve learned. I don’t have all this together, but I do have an understanding of I can pass onto you.  

We picked up a dog on the weekend that is great with the kids, but afraid of me. It’s really testing my patience… anyway, the thought occurred to me that the Father is probably using the dog to teach me more about Him, so I’d better be ready to listen. One of the ways I listen is to meditate on what I know.

Here’s some of what I know about growing the fruit of the spirit.

We need to be growing in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. So how do we do it?

There are 5 truths of the fruit of the Spirit we need to understand and implement into our lives.

• The Fruit Reflects the Goodness of God
• The Fruit is Natural to our Spiritual Nature
• It is Our Choice to Grow in the Fruit of the Spirit
• Growing the Fruit is a Process
• The Holy Spirit Empowers Us

The Fruit Reflects the Goodness of God

When people see the fruit of the Spirit in us, they see the reflection of the Goodness of God. We may not possess these qualities in ourselves, and if we do, they pale at what God will eventually have us reflect.

The moon does not have its own light, but reflects the light of the sun to the part of the world that’s away from the light. There are two things that happen to stop the light from the sun being reflected to the world. They both have to do with the position of the moon.

When the world comes in between the moon and sun whose light it was created to reflect to the part of the world that’s away from the sun, it’s called a lunar eclipse. The shadow of the world covers the face of the moon that reflects the light of the sun.

The moon is also capable of coming in between the sun and the side of the world that is directly receiving its light. The shadow of the moon covers a portion of the earth instead of reflecting the suns light to the side of the world that is away from the sun. We call that a solar eclipse.

However, there is also a time when the moon is in the perfect position to reflect the greatest amount of the light of the sun to the part of the world that is away from the sun. It is the brightest, biggest moon of the year. We happen to call that the “harvest moon”.

The same is true for us. We reflect the goodness of God by choosing to grow the fruit of Spirit that reflects His good nature. It puts us in the position to reflect the greatest amount of His light to the part of the world that is still in darkness.

The Fruit is Natural to our Spiritual Nature

Made in the image of God, we are tripartite beings and have a Spirit, Soul (mind), and Body. The Bible says we are saved (Eph. 2:8) (Spirit), we are being saved (1Cor. 1:18)(Soul) and we shall be saved (Rom. 11:26) (Body)

Galatians 5 makes it clear that there are two natures at work in our body. Since we have crucified our flesh and all its desires (verse) we can keep in step with the Spirit.

When we make Jesus our Lord, our natural being becomes our Spirit. We make our choices based on the word of God and no longer on circumstance or negative feelings. Although we can choose to, we no longer have to live by the works of the flesh.

It is Our Choice to Grow in the Fruit of the Spirit

Some people think the fruit of the Spirit just naturally grows, as an offshoot or sign that we have raised our hand or said a prayer. When it doesn’t happen it’s easy to conclude that our experience was not as profound as we thought at the time.
That kind of thinking is a great way to stay immature.

We have a choice to live by the flesh or live by the Spirit.

It is a choice we begin making by agreeing with what God says about us and declaring who we are in Christ daily or even hourly and then choosing to act in the nature of God (fruit of the Spirit) in a situation-by-situation basis.

Eventually our choice becomes a habit and we begin to naturally work out of the Spirit.

Growing the Fruit is a Process

Fruit grows in the spiritual as it does in the natural. There are places in the same orchard that grow better fruit faster because of soil and amount of direct sunlight.
We start stronger in some areas and weaker in others – but we grow in all. As we make choices, we start habits and soon the habits bring our body and soul in line with our Spirit.

This is “working out our salvation with fear and trembling.”

Theologically it’s known as Sanctification.
Poetically it’s “becoming more like Christ.”
Philosophically it’s “become who we already are.”

Because it’s a process we have patience for ourselves and grace for others. It is difficult at first, and we all make mistakes. But aren’t you glad God has the full measure of the fruit of the Spirit? When we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John…)

The Holy Spirit Empowers Us

Whatever God calls us to do, He empowers us to do and provides everything we need to do it His way and in His power.

No one can will himself or herself to have joy over an extended period of time. But it is possible because the Holy Spirit grows joy in us. More than that, the Holy Spirit breaks the yoke off of those with depression when counseling and drugs can’t even work. Maybe we should start with the Holy Spirit?

How Do We Show the Pre-Eminence of Love?

Our Words…

Ephesians 4:29, John 6:68, Isaiah 50:4

Our Actions…

1 John 3:17-19

I’ve got to learn to apply the fruit of the Spirit in my relationship with my relationship with our new dog. Is there someone God’s given you to help you become more and more like Him?

Love to know your thoughts. Please comment.

Truth:

How can I repay the LORD for all his goodness to me? Psalm 116:12 (New International Version)

Thought:

I don’t consider myself a modern thinker. I’m resistant to the labels others try to force on me.  I think about webs of relationships, not linear cause-and-effect. I can hold multiple conflicting thoughts without any angst. And I’m a follower of Christ.

I know this makes some people nervous. However, I’m believing that from post-post-modernity the greatest theologians in history will emerge.

I do have a problem with the way many people, especially those with my thinking process, carry out truth. We can believe something is true, but it doesn’t make a difference in our lives. Truth doesn’t matter if we don’t work out its implication into our lives. If it doesn’t matter, can it be true?

Let me give you an example.

Ask anyone to create a scale of goodness. Pick a spot on the wall – the top is good, the bottom is bad. Tell them to choose an example for the bottom – it’ll be someone like Hitler. Ask them to have an example for the top – Mother Teresa will usually come up.  Ask them where they think the average person in the world is on the continuum and depending on their view of life, the average will be anywhere from the middle of the scale or slightly below, up to halfway or to the top or slightly more.

Now, ask them to say where they are. We inevitably say we’re better than the average. (If you don’t think you are, you may have some issues with guilt. Read 1 John 1:9, then repent and know you’re forgiven.)

How can we all be better than average?

It is because we judge ourselves by our intention and judge everyone else by their actions.

Sorry news… the Bible tells us to judge goodness by what we do. Intentions are not good enough.  It’s not “being good’ that is important, it’s “doing good” that counts with God.

Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude.  Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and He will bless you for it. For the Scriptures say,
“If you want to enjoy life
and see many happy days,
keep your tongue from speaking evil
and your lips from telling lies.
Turn away from evil and do good.
Search for peace, and work to maintain it.
The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right,
and his ears are open to their prayers.
But the Lord turns his face
against those who do evil.”
1 Peter 3:8-13 (New Living Translation)

So as we intentionally grow the fruit of goodness, we need to do “good”. We don’t need to feel “good”. We don’t need to think “good”. We need to do “good”.

And you already know what “good” is because you belong to the One who is Good.
Do to others as you would have them do to you.
Luke 6:31 (New International Version)

Who will you show goodness to today?

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for creating me the way I am. Thank You I was born for this time and created for eternity. Thank You so much for the goodness You’ve shown me. Thank You for Your forgiveness and mercy and provision and blessing. Empower me, Holy Spirit, to show that same goodness to someone today.

Challenge:

Treat everyone today, the way you would want to be treated. That includes the telemarketer that calls during supper and the unenlightened individual that cuts you off in traffic while he or she was talking on there mobile. Make it a habit… who knows where it could lead?

Declaration:

I choose to reflect the light of the Son to the side of the world that’s away from the Son. I choose to put on love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Truth:

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Ephesians 4:22-24 (New International Version)

Thought:

The Bible is so rich with metaphors that we can see in the natural. When you think about it, how else could the created understand the Creator? We recognize our language and experience is limited by our mortality, but at the same time we realize it is God who has revealed Himself to us.

That thought alone makes me stop and worship. I wish I could relay it more profoundly.

Here’s one that makes me go “Ah ha!”

The moon does not have its own light, but reflects the light of the sun to the part of the world that’s away from the light. There are two things that happen to stop the light from the sun being reflected to the world. They both have to do with the position of the moon.

1. When the world comes between the moon and sun – whose light it was created to reflect to the part of the world that’s away from the sun – it’s called a lunar eclipse. The shadow of the world covers the face of the moon that reflects the light of the sun.
2. The moon is also able to come between the sun and the side of the world that is directly receiving its light. The shadow of the moon covers a portion of the earth instead of reflecting the suns light to the side of the world that is away from the sun. We call that a solar eclipse.

However, there is also a time when the moon is in the perfect position to reflect the greatest amount of the light of the sun to the part of the world that is away from the sun. It is the brightest, biggest moon of the year and it happens in the Northern Hemisphere in the Fall. We happen to call that the “harvest moon.”

The same is true for us. We reflect the goodness of God by choosing to grow the fruit of Spirit that reflects His good nature. It puts us in the position to reflect the greatest amount of His light to the part of the world that is still in darkness.

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control together show the nature of Jesus to the world.  And there are two truths about fruit we need to be aware of.

The first is – Fruit happens. Jesus is the vine; we are the branches. When we abide in Him, we bear much fruit. It’s as natural as the moon reflecting the light from the sun to the side of the world that’s away from the sun. The lesson is abiding in the vine.

The second truth is – we need to tend an orchard.  This thought doesn’t contradict the first, although I admit I’m mixing metaphors.  Growing in the fruit of the Spirit is a choice we make, as well as a series of choices throughout the day. We will constantly need to choose love, joy, peace and patience. We will have opportunity to choose kindness, goodness and faithfulness. Conditions will be conducive for us to not wish to choose gentleness and self-control.

So does fruit just happen, or do we tend the tree?

Both.

Learn how to abide and fruit just happens. Abiding means keeping in step with the rhythms of the master and in our fallen state it is a choice to reflect the light of the sun to the side of the world that’s away from the sun.

The next few days we’ll be encouraged to make that choice a habit.

Prayer:

Thank you, Lord, that when I abide in You, Your words abide in me and I can ask whatever I want and it will be given to me. Teach me to abide. Thank You, Holy Spirit, You will empower me to put on and grow love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Challenge:

If you could show God to the world in any way that reflects His goodness and Glory, how would you do it? Pray and obey. There are things you can do today that will see that prayer fulfilled. Do them.

Declaration:

I choose to reflect the light of the Son to the side of the world that’s away from the Son. I choose to put on love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.