Are you in a quiet spot? Have 15 minutes? On Sunday I shared the story of giving up on baseball when I was 13 years old. I said, “My conscience said that I shouldn’t quit.” My soul was troubled. At the time I thought it was because others disagreed with me. But, I can see clearly now: I was fighting with my own internal sense of right and wrong. I can see now that I was fighting with the nature God has given to me and every person.
Scriptures say that we are created in the image and likeness of God. And, God doesn’t back out of his commitments. Even when his beloved creation walked away from him and rejected his commands, he stayed true and has provided a way of salvation and hope for every person! Even though that commitment cost God greatly—the death of his own Son—God stayed true. His loyalty is the standard that we are created for and the standard we can aspire to.
Read out loud:
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
Galatians 5:22–23 (NLT)
When we spend regular time with Jesus, he guides us and his Spirit begins to work into us his nature—which as we are learning—is our nature. We are created to be each of these listed fruits.
Which of these fruits relates to you following through with your commitments? Which fruits would you like Jesus to produce in you? Write out a prayer inviting Jesus to do this work in you.