Miracle Grow
Photo image courtesy of Pixabay
But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. -- 2 Peter 1:5-8 (NKJV)
As an avid gardener, I have learned that it takes more than one task to produce an abundance of good fruit. The tomatoes I grow require several things if they are to thrive. I must ensure that the plants are immersed in fertile soil. The seedlings must be properly positioned to receive adequate sunlight. Fertilizer and water must be diligently applied.
It isn’t one activity that yields a harvest but a series of them in a specific order. The additive effects of my gardening chores multiply the number of tomatoes. This same approach applies to our ability to nurture a relationship with the Lord and produce spiritual fruit. The above verses show us how to do this.
Through scripture, we gain knowledge that increases our faith. This knowledge teaches us self-control. Self-control eventually grants us perseverance. The addition continues until we genuinely learn to love our neighbors and multiply the fruit of the Spirit. Yet, this is rarely a quick revelation for most people.
It takes time and repetition to produce good fruit. I can’t expect to plant tomatoes for one summer and then expect a lifetime harvest. This is true for spiritual fruit as well. Manifesting love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control requires intention and diligence in our relationship with the Lord.
Likewise, producing good fruit often involves trial and error. Miraculously, God uses our faults and failures to develop our spiritual maturity. When we share our growing pains (pests, rot, disease) and how our Lord allows us to overcome them, we encourage other people to seek God.
Through Christ, we can be fruitful and multiply. Exponentially.
Question for Reflection:
What do you need to grow?
