By Andrew Williams
Opening Prayer
Holy Spirit, we invite you to do your work in us, producing fruit that looks like Jesus and brings glory to the Father.
Today’s Scripture (NLT)
Galatians 5:22-23
“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!”
What is the ultimate result of a life spent abiding in Christ? What does it look like on the outside? The answer is fruit. But it’s not fruit that we manufacture through sheer willpower. Notice the wording: the Holy Spirit “produces” this fruit in our lives. It is the organic, unforced result of our connection to the Vine.
These nine qualities—love, joy, peace, and the rest—are a perfect description of the character of Jesus. As we abide in Him, the Holy Spirit works to make our character look more like His. This is the goal of the Christian life: not just following a set of rules, but being transformed from the inside out.
You cannot try harder to be more joyful or force yourself to be more patient. But as you remain connected to Jesus through His Word and prayer, and as you depend on His Spirit, you will find these qualities beginning to grow in you naturally. They are the evidence that you are truly abiding. They are the taste of a “Beyond Sunday” life.
Disciples’ Life Tip: Look at the list of the nine fruits. Which one feels the most lacking in your life right now? Instead of trying to produce it, simply pray, “Holy Spirit, I can’t manufacture this. I ask you to produce the fruit of [name the fruit] in my life as I abide in Jesus.”
Closing Prayer: Father God, thank You that the pressure is not on us to produce the fruit, but simply to stay connected to the Vine. We trust You to do the work of transformation in us. Amen.
