Choose to Grow

Galatians 5:19-21 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

In the last four devotionals we discussed the Fruit of the Holy Spirit. He produces it in our lives, as He works in us to make us more like Jesus. We know that this Fruit is truly growing in us when we see less and less deeds of the flesh, and more love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Here is where many of us run into a problem. You see, it seems that the best training ground, and the most fertile ground, for the Spirit to produce His Fruit in our lives is the battleground. Yes, in the midst of conflict, trials, tribulations, and difficult circumstances, is where the Spirit does His best work. It is during these times that we need to remember Romans 8:28-29, which clearly tells us that God will work all things together for our good, and that good is that we come out of it more like our Lord and Savior. Here is where we hit the wall, the wall of excuses "But you don't understand what kind of life I lived." "But you just don't understand what they did, or said, and how that made me feel." "I just can't help it, I have always struggled with this; and besides, I'm not the only one in the world who struggles with this." Excuses, excuses, excuses...we have one for every deed of the flesh we commit. The remedy, the way to victory? Well, it is really a simple one...choose to do right and let the Spirit do His work in us. Romans 13:14 tells us, "But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts." Note that putting on Jesus is a choice. We can choose to not give in to the flesh. We can choose to put on the Armor of God (Ephesians 6). We can choose to take up our cross and crucify our flesh. How do we do this successfully? We accomplish this in the strength and power of His might (Ephesians 6:10)! We must choose to grow. We must commit ourselves to prayer, and not just reading the Word of God, but putting it to action in our lives. Far too often, we want to take a passive approach in living out our Christianity. When in reality, our walk with Jesus must be lived out on purpose, making the right choices, and purposely putting down the deeds that seek to enslave us and drag us back down to our old ways. If we want to have victory, and see the Spirit produce His Fruit in our lives, we must stop grieving the Holy Spirit and quenching His power in our lives. How, you ask? Read Ephesians 4:17-32.

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His free gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).