GROWN TO BE THE BEST

READING: GALATIANS 5:16-26

Verse 22: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law”

Pete and Jack both contracted with a fruit distributor to grow peaches and deliver them in July. It was agreed that the grower who produced the best quality would receive a bonus for his crop. Pete pruned his trees in January, and dug around them and fertilized them in February. When insects began to appear in April, he controlled them with organic pesticides. He regularly irrigated in May, June and early July. Then when the peaches began to ripen, Pete protected them from being eaten by the birds. Jack’s response was different. He watered his trees when he thought they might be dry. Other than that, he gave them no further care. It’s easy to conclude which of the two earned the bonus. There are godly qualities that are the fruit of the Holy Spirit. They are listed in today’s verse. We are the fruit trees upon which this spiritual fruit is grown. Pete’s care for his peaches is a reflection of the manner in which we are so carefully developed by our Loving Heavenly Father. We are raised to be the cream of the crop. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. With which of the qualities identified as fruit of the Spirit do you identify most?

2. Regarding that fruit, what stage of development have you reached?