Picture: Counsel #2 — What Fruits? CSL 85.1
When you give yourself to God, your old sinful life and nature dies, and your new life is hidden with Christ in God (see Colossians 3:3). This means that the sins you practiced before giving your heart[103]Giving your heart to Jesus results in your heart being changed. This is called conversion. to Jesus, you no longer do through His power. Now you “bear fruit”—your life begins to look like the life of Jesus.[104]https://www.askanadventistfriend.com/understanding-the-bible/new-testament/what-is-the-fruit-of-the-holy-spirit-in-the-bible/ This is a miracle that the Holy Spirit brings about, a sanctifying[105]Sanctifying is the process of being made holy. transformation that lasts a lifetime. CSL 85.2
But you won’t work on these fruits one at a time. For instance, you wouldn’t say, “Today I’m going to add the fruit of self-control to my life.” Rather, your goal is to be like Jesus in all aspects of your life. A better prayer might be, “Jesus, today I give you my heart and life again. Please renew me that I can live like You in every way.” CSL 85.3
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” Galatians 5:22, 23 NKJV CSL 85.4
“When we live by faith in the Son of God, the fruits of the Spirit will be seen in our life; not one will be missing.” Ellen White in The Desire of Ages, p. 676 CSL 85.5
Reflect: Would the people closest to you describe you as Christ-like? Why or why not? CSL 85.6
