The Failure of Effort

Some of us have read the "fruit of the Spirit" passage the Apostle Paul wrote long ago and figured we could make it happen in our life.  What we discovered very soon is that determination and will power was not the viable word.  As we found out after times of trying to make ourselves into someone whose life reflected these qualities or virtues, the operative word was surrender.  It was a case when "my will" was insufficient and "His will" pointed to the only way.  We know the passage well.  "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control."   (Galatians 5:22-23)

Where we have trouble is in the unguarded moments when spontaneous response takes the place of a planned response.  We may be loving and gentle in moments anticipated and for which we feel prepared, but let someone come along with something which goes against the grain of our plans or expectations, and something other than the fruit of the Spirit may surface.  The words Paul wrote are not about a plan for action, but about what the Holy Spirit can do in our life when we have surrendered it to His agenda.  

What the Spirit seeks to do is a transforming work of grace which shapes our spirit so that it begins to resemble the heart of Christ.  The more we allow the Spirit to control our life, the more we will naturally respond to the unplanned moments with the grace inherent within this fruit of the Spirit passage.  This passage from Galatians points us toward a way of life and not toward creating certain spiritual virtues in our life.  The way of life to which Paul points us can be realized in our life, but it will never be the result of our efforts, but according to our willingness to submit ourselves completely to His will.