22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit,
let us keep in step with the Spirit.
Galatians 5:22-25
We are in a sermon series on the “Fruit of the Spirit,” learning about the nine different “fruit” that are produced in the Christ-follower: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. These Christlike character traits are things that grow in every believer, but the development of these traits takes time. They can’t be rushed.
When you try to ripen fruit quickly, it loses its flavor. Tomatoes in our grocery stores are usually picked un-ripened, so they won’t bruise during packing and delivery to a store. Then before they are sold, these green tomatoes are sprayed with CO2 gas to turn them red quickly. Gassed tomatoes are edible, but they aren’t as tasty as vine-ripened tomatoes that are allowed to mature and ripen while connected to the vine.
God is concerned about our growth and the production of the “Fruit of the Spirit”, but this growth takes time. God isn’t worried about how fast we grow but how strong we grow, and He is viewing our lives for eternity.
Discipleship and the fruit that is produced by being an active disciple of Christ is a process. As author and pastor Eugene Peterson wrote it: “It is a long obedience in the same direction.”
So, I hope that you will come this Sunday (or listen on-line) as we learn about another fruit that is “produced” as the Holy Spirit lives in us.