Living by the Spirit enables us to fulfil what the law of God was pointing to all along but could never empower and liberate us to fulfil (see Romans 8:4). A true and good life can only come from living by the Spirit. So many people attempt to live the Christian life from their own determination. But this is like sticking big branches in the ground and calling them trees. A tree must grow from a seed which has taken root in fertile soil. The Holy Spirit is the seed of life. The fertile soil is an open and hungry heart that is always eagerly enriching itself with the nutrients of God’s Word. In such soil the seed of the Holy Spirit will take root and grow into a tree of life. We will then become a tree whose leaves will bring healing and comfort to those around us (Revelation 22:2). Everything that is truly good with a person grows from the indwelling Spirit of God. Jesus said: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). Let the fruit of God’s Spirit grow up from within you in abundance. Don’t just mimic the fruit of the Spirit by trying to act like a Christian. That is exhausting to keep up. Let the fruit grow naturally by enriching the soil of your heart and by seeking the seed of God’s Spirit.
Give yourself over to God and ask him to fill you anew with his Spirit.
Read Galatians 5:16-26 again
