Day 319 · Year 1 · The Story of Scripture
The Spirit grows what you cannot manufacture
Galatians 5 reframes what 'becoming a better person' actually is.
Today's passage
Galatians 5:22-25
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.
24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
25Since we live by the Spirit, let us walk in step with the Spirit.
Berean Standard Bible · public domain
Reflection
Notice Paul calls it fruit, not achievements. Fruit is something a tree grows because it is alive, not something it produces by trying harder. The Christian life is not white-knuckling these qualities into existence; it is staying connected to Christ so the Spirit can grow them in you. If you have been frustrated that you 'should' be more patient, more loving, more self-controlled, the answer is not more pressure. It is more time, with more honesty, in the presence of the One who grows fruit.
From the great tradition · paraphrased
John Wesley · Puritans & Post-Reformation · 18th c. · England
John Wesley pursued holiness as something the Spirit grows in disciplined company — not as a private project, but as the steady work of grace in honest community.
Paraphrase only. Scripture, not any teacher, is the authority.
Think it through
- List the nine pieces of fruit. Which is most absent in you right now?
- Why does Paul call them fruit rather than achievements?
- What does it look like, this week, to 'walk by the Spirit' in the place you most lack fruit?
A prayer to pray
Bring the missing fruit to the Spirit. Ask him to grow what you cannot manufacture.