A Big Decision

The listing in the fruit of the Spirit section of Scripture takes us away from a spirituality based on should to one based on becoming.  In the beginning most of us walk the journey with Jesus not so much by faith as we do by what we ought to do, or what we should do.  At the point of our departure from the old life and into the new, only a few of us have the spiritual insight to understand that we are stepping out on a journey of becoming what we do not know and arriving at where we cannot see.    

As we ponder this listing inside the Apostle's description of the life of those under the authority and influence of the Holy Spirit, it is obvious that we are a work not finished, but a work in progress.  We want the fruit of the Spirit to be so evident in our life that we often figure that we can produce it ourselves through a practice of spiritual disciplines and right living.  Of course, such can never be.    

We  become those who live by "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity,  faithfulness, gentleness, and self control"  (Galatians 5:22-23) only because we have come to a place of knowing that any spiritual maturity is more about the work of the Spirit than it is about we might be able to do.  The Spirit seeks to work in us in such a way that the Spirit of Christ not only takes root in us, but is expressed through all that we think and do.  Such happens only as we give permission for the Holy Spirit to with us whatever it is that He desires to do.  It is one of the biggest decisions of our spiritual journey.