The Seed Knows

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

The ancient scriptures use concepts we can all grasp like fruit.

If we follow the analogy we know that fruit comes from seeds. The seed encapsulates the programming, the potential, the final design. With the right fuel and environment, the seed fully develops.

Nothing else can be done. The seed knows what to do – what to yield.

Such is the potential of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

The fruit of the spirit gets produced in us through his interaction. It’s not a list to pressure us or expose our shortcomings. We can’t will the outcomes. Maybe, for short periods of time, but the focus and energy required is not sustainable. The effort to produce this on our part is where religion lives. We don’t want that. We’re moving higher.

This is a list so we can understand God’s intent and his plan for us. It’s a list to help us identify progress. It’s a list to create distinction and to help us avoid confusion. It’s a list that details the incredible endowments of God in our lives, for us who believe, who call on the name of Jesus the Christ. We don’t make it happen. The Lord would have us acknowledge this work, embrace it, champion it, encourage it – be on the same page with his plan for your development. The seed knows what to do.