In this podcast, the speaker relates the growth of a watermelon to the organic nature of growth in the Christian faith. They discuss the concept of the fruit of the Spirit and its significance, highlighting qualities like peace, patience, kindness, and self-control. The chapters also explore joy as a settled state, aligning the inner self with the outer self, treating broken people with gentleness, and the process of growth through learning to observe the Sabbath.
The fruit of the Spirit is a reflection of a transformed life and comes from the work of God, not our own efforts.
Spiritual growth requires the right conditions and intentional steps toward growth, including being planted in an environment conducive to transformation.
Deep dives
Growing in the Spirit
The speaker highlights the importance of walking in step with the Holy Spirit and allowing God to transform our lives. The speaker compares our spiritual growth to a watermelon, emphasizing that it is organic and gradual, not dependent on our own efforts. The fruit of the Spirit is described as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control - attributes that reflect a transformed life. The speaker encourages us to prioritize the growth of these qualities and acknowledges our need for grace in the process.
Fruit of the Spirit vs. Works
The speaker distinguishes between the fruit of the Spirit and the efforts of our own works. The fruit of the Spirit comes from the work of God in our lives and is not based on our own strength. The speaker emphasizes the importance of relying on God's grace rather than solely trying harder to develop the fruit of the Spirit. By understanding that growth is dependent on the work of the Spirit, we can eliminate discouragement and pride from our relationship with Jesus.
The Process of Growth
The speaker presents the gradual process of growth that occurs when we submit to the Holy Spirit. The stages of growth include awareness, curiosity, valuing, prioritizing, and ownership. The speaker shares a personal example of growth in his own life, specifically with practicing the Sabbath. As we go through these stages, we realize that growth takes time and a consistent commitment. The speaker encourages us to persevere and not to grow tired of doing good, reminding us that we will reap the benefits of growth if we do not give up.
The Need for Climate and Care
The speaker emphasizes the importance of the right conditions for growth, comparing it to a seed planted in the ground. We need to assess the climate and care we provide for our own spiritual growth. This includes being intentional about where we are planted and how we engage with the means of grace, such as Scripture reading and community. The speaker highlights the need to move beyond mere awareness and curiosity, and to take proactive steps toward growth, ensuring that we are planted in an environment conducive to spiritual transformation.