Bearing the Fruit of the Spirit

Remember these points when you consider the attributes of the Fruit of the Spirit

• Crucified with Christ - A Finished Work: When you believed in Jesus, you were placed into His death and resurrection. Your old self was already crucified with Him - this is past tense, accomplished. You belong to Him now, welcomed into His family. You don't imitate Jesus through effort; you appropriate His life by believing what He's done.

  
  

• Stop Pushing, Start Driving: Appropriating Christ's life is like turning on a car engine instead of pushing the car. Jesus isn't a backseat driver - He's meant to be the power source. You were never meant to live the Christian life yourself; let Him live through you. Coming to the end of self is the beginning of experiencing His life.

  
  

• Keep in Step with the Spirit: This is the daily choice to trust Christ as your source. It's not effort - it's reliance. Say "Lord, I can't - but You can" and let Him. When you realize grace is God's power to do God's will, transformation happens. Your behavior changes because your beliefs change.

  
  

• No Law Against the Fruit: While fleshly works come naturally, the fruit of the Spirit flows effortlessly when Christ is your source. There's no limit to His love, grace, or power. As the hymn says: "Out of His infinite riches in Jesus, He giveth and giveth and giveth again."

  
  

• Home in Christ: You are enough in God's eyes because of what Jesus did. You belong to Him and He dwells in you. He gave His life for you, to give His life to you, so He could live His life through you. Someone who was dead becomes alive.