In our last series, we mentioned spiritual growth and maturity as the process and end of the spiritual life God gives to us.
Just like a tree, it takes time for spiritual growth to develop from being merely a seed into a full grown tree and bear fruit. But to a farmer, the most pleasant moment of his labor is seeing just how many fruits he can harvest from the tree.
Paul mentioned nine spiritual fruits in his letter to the Galatians:
Gal 5:22-23 [NIV]
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
It’s easy to see that these fruits are all personal characteristics of a person. And that they describe the quality of His personality.
Evidently God is interested in who we are in Him, more than what we can do for Him. Here, Paul contrasts a life under the law – one that tries to fulfill the righteous requirements of God by one’s flesh – rather than living by the Spirit and allowing God to work out His life in us through our faith and obedience.
Living in the Kingdom is to Bear Spiritual Fruits
Mt 6:33 [NIV]
33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
The Kingdom mentioned above is our spiritual life in God the Father, which is vested in His reality – a Kingdom of life, power, glory, order and majesty.
As we grow and partake of His divine nature, we will be more and more like Him, who is love, peace, righteousness, joy, justice, mercy and goodness.
Paul mentioned this in the book of Romans:
Rom. 14:17 [NIV]
17For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,
Evidently, life in the Kingdom of God is not about external achievements for God, but rather the inner life in Him, which is to bear spiritual fruits.
This is the first post on a whole new topic. So if you enjoyed it, invite another to join us.
This is _Part 1_ in the series Spiritual Gifts and Fruits. To continue with this series, click on Pt 2. To use this as a growth tool to better understand your own calling, you might start by reading the explanation of this series.
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