Growing Spiritual Fruit
love joy peace patience kindness goodness faithfulness gentleness self-control
A couple of weeks ago, our pastor preached on Ephesian’s 2:10:
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. (NASB)
In the NLT, “workmanship” is translated as “masterpiece.” In the NIV, it’s “handiwork.” In his sermon, our pastor drew out the application that we, as a church, corporately, are created for good things. He spoke about the link between the church being the “masterwork” of God and the good works for which we are created. These works aren’t like the works of the law or the works of the flesh. Instead, salvation and the work of the Holy Spirit lead to spiritual fruit that, when worked out in community, are our masterworks. These spiritual fruits result in relational differences.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23, NASB
We’re in many relationships: relationships with each other, ourselves, God, and all of creation. What does it look like to act out the fruits of the spirit in our relationship with the earth?
Loving the earth.
Rejoicing in creation.
Bringing shalom.
Patiently tending over time.
Being kind to all creatures.
Bringing goodness to the ecosystem.
Faithfully committing to care for the land with which we’re entrusted.
Gently working the earth.
Exercising self-control in how we harvest.
How will you be spiritually fruitful in your relationship with creation?
The earth is so patient with us - despite how we treat her! I grew up on a farm; I planted a garden; worked in the most amazing national park, Yellowstone, and it’s incredible wonders; I live on a beautiful lake and am privileged to see nature in all its glory in all its seasons! Our relationship with earth? We must stop taking her for granted and nurture her - just as we must nurture our relationship with God.
love this.... gentleness in all