The Fruitful Life: A Final Reflection on Growth and Grace
“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”—Philippians 1:6 (ESV)
True freedom isn’t found in doing whatever we want, but in living as we were created to live—surrendered to Christ and secure in His finished work. When we started this series, we looked at how our culture’s vision of freedom often seeps into our spiritual lives. We’re told that freedom means being autonomous, proving ourselves, and following our hearts—but that path usually leads to exhaustion and emptiness.
The good news of the gospel is that Christ sets us free from the pressure to perform and the fear of never measuring up. Our worth is secure because of what He has done, not what we accomplish. Spiritual fruit is not the result of trying harder but of abiding in Him.
Our worth is secure because of what He has done, not what we accomplish. Spiritual fruit is not the result of trying harder but of abiding in Him. Growth is often slow and hidden, yet every small step—repentance, renewed desire, increased love—is evidence that He is at work.
As we finish this series, let’s pause to reflect on what we’ve explored in this series and celebrate the ways He’s been shaping us.
Posts in This Series
Walking by the Spirit, Not the Flesh: How to Keep in Step with the Spirit Daily
Love: Choosing another’s good, even when costly.
Joy: Rooted in Christ, not circumstances.
Peace: Resting in God’s control instead of our own.
Patience: Trusting God’s timing with people and problems.
Kindness: Reflecting God’s generosity to those around you.
Goodness: Doing what is right with integrity and courage.
Faithfulness: Staying steady and dependable because God is faithful.
Gentleness: Using strength under control for others’ good.
Self-Control: Relying on the Spirit to master desires, not be mastered by them.
Putting This Into Practice
As we close this series, take time to slow down and reflect with the Lord. Take some time to consider these questions:
Which fruit has the Spirit been most visibly growing?
Where have you been stretched or pruned?
Where do you still resist or struggle?
Take your time and invite God to help you see what He is doing in your own life, then consider how you might continue growing in dependence on His Spirit, asking God to find small and specific ways to nurture continued growth in your own life.
Reflecting On My Own Life
I usually write these posts as a means of preaching to myself. I do not want to speak as an expert, or as if I have this figured out. I need this too!
So, as I look back over this series, I see how God has been gently shaping me—especially in the area of gentleness, which has always been the hardest for me. As I meditate on how my Father has dealt gently with me, I see Him softening my own responses, particularly in how I interact with my daughter Anah.
This growth hasn’t come from my willpower but from returning to the source again and again. The gospel reminds me that I am not left to do this alone—Christ Himself has shown me what gentleness looks like and has given me His Spirit so I can walk in it.
I’ve also been deeply stretched in learning to depend on God moment by moment. My natural tendency is to press harder, to rely on discipline and effort. But God has been pruning me of that self-reliance and teaching me what it means to rest in His strength while still walking in obedience.
And yes, I still resist Him sometimes—clinging to my will as if I know better. But He patiently loosens my grip, reminding me that His ways lead to life. I certainly have a long way to go, but it has been encouraging to think more deeply over the past few posts on how that looks practically in my own daily life and relationships. Praise God that as I work out my own salvation, He is also at work in me—and He will complete that work one day, that I might be like Christ.
Father, we come before You as Your people, grateful for the work You have been doing in us. Thank You for the freedom we have in Christ and for the Spirit who produces fruit that we could never grow on our own. Teach us to abide in Jesus daily, to welcome Your pruning, and to trust You with the process of transformation. Make our lives fruitful for Your glory—bearing love, joy, peace, and all the fruit of the Spirit—so that others would see Christ in us and be drawn to Him. Amen.
Resources I used:
Fruit of the Spirit journals: I received this set of 9 journals for Christmas last year and they have been a wonderful way to steep in the fruit through Scripture. Includes a short reflection for each characteristic of the fruit plus twelve passages to meditate on.
The Fruitful Wife—Hayley DiMarco (this may be out of of print but Barnes and Noble serves an ebook version). I really appreciated her thoughtful treatment and insights as it pertains to marriage. Though written for wives, I think many of her insights can be appropriate for all women who desire to grow in this fruit.
The Fruitful Life—Jerry Bridges (Amazon): This is a reworking of his previous work, The Practice of Godliness, now viewed through the lens of the fruit of the Spirit. This is a thorough exploration of the fruit, with chapters before and after exploring each that put things in context. I really enjoy Jerry Bridges’ work and this was no different.
Lighthouse Community Church, Summer 2024 sermon series: The series that started it all. Our church had a deep dive in the summer on these as our church was going through Galatians, and I was so blessed by our pastors each week.
