ARE YOU GROWING?

*WISDOM FOR TODAY.*

*ARE YOU GROWING?*

*Scripture Treasure.*

Matt 7:16 *Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?*

*Insight and Highlight.*

Christian growth, Spiritual gifts and Fruit of the Spirit.

*Scripture Commentaries.*

In the Kingdom of God, one of the strong indicators of Christian growth is actions/character/outcomes rather than just their words.

A key indicator of Christian growth is the presence of the Fruit of the Spirit in the life of the Christian.

A key indicator of Christian growth is the presence of the fruit of the Spirit.

The fruit of the Spirit is attitudinal and behavioural in concept and in composition. So are the works of the flesh (Gal 5:19-21).

This is why Paul writes after he wrote the fruit in Gal 5:22-23, saying there is no law against any of the fruit.

'Fruit' is a singular and collective noun to describe them as one single, unified, and collective whole produced by the Holy Spirit, not nine separate fruits. 

About the Fruit, Paul writes Paul says *But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,*

*Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.* (Gal 5:22-23)

It is not a one time character trait. It must be consistent. This is why they are referred to as the 'Fruit' rather than fruits.

The character of a mature Christian follows a consistent pattern of behavior and this will eventually reveal his true heart. This consistent character separates true followers from those who only claim to profess faith. 

A Christian may be gifted in all the nine gifts of the Spirit (1 Cor 12:8-10) but if he lacks one or any of the fruit, he is none but an immature Christian.

Though a Christian may occupy any of the ministry offices, 1 Cor 12:28, if he lacks the fruit of the Spirit he is none other than an immature Christian.

Jesus teaches us that we can not know anyone who is a Christian by anything other than the fruit in him/her, Matt 7:16.

You are a mature Christian if you have self-control.

When you speak, Jesus teaches that people will judge you as a Christian, not on what you have said, but by what you do.

Paul writes in 2 Cor 3:2-3

*Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:*

*Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.*

What is the ongoing and consistent living state of your character?

Is it good, a once-in-a-while good character, or your character is as occasion demands or bad afterall?

Are you a mature Christian?

You are one if you are growing daily

reflecting Christ-like character regardless.

*Remorse corner.*

Your growth as a Christian is measured by what you have outgrown.

*Call to Word action.*

Your growth as a Christian is measured by your behaviour. What you do is louder than what you say.

*Prayer.*

Lord, help me to grow daily in Christ-like behaviour, in Jesus name.

Good morning all and have a blessed day.

God bless you.

Shalom.