We walk by faith, not by sight – 2 Corinthians 5:7
So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. - 1 Corinthians 3:7 NIV
Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me? I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. - John 15:4-5 NIV
When you look at all of the rest of the created order, growth takes time. From trees to babies, nothing gets tall and strong overnight. Spiritual growth is no different. It takes time. Jesus said that if we abide in Him we will bear fruit but fruit ripens slowly, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” – Galatians 6:9. If you are not seeing as much fruit as you like, here are things that are essential to your growth:
1. Abide in Jesus by taking in God’s Word. When you read God’s Word, it gives essential nutrients to your spiritual life so you can trust that God will bear fruit.
2. Cooperate with God as He prunes. Praise God for the work He is doing in your life—pruning the dead, sinful things and cutting back the good things so you can have the best. – John 15:2
3. Pray through the “produce.” The Holy Spirit bears the fruit of “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control”. – Galatians 5:22-23
Ask God to bear these more and more in you.
Reflection Question:
When and where have you seen the greatest spiritual growth that God has produced in you this past year?
Prayer:
Lord God, feed my soul through your Word and produce more fruit of the Spirit in my life.
Scripture:
We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing. - 2 Thessalonians 1:3
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