How To Have A Spiritually Productive Life Series

How To Have A Spiritually Productive Life

We come now to the last sermon in this series. We have been looking at the fruit of the Spirit. We have looked at: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Now I want us to look at the last phrase of our text and then talk about how you can have a more fruitful life. Let’s read our text first:

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” Gal 5:22-23 (NASB)

The last phrase really catches my attention:

“…against such things there is no law.”

Could you imagine a world where there are no laws? If each and everything was legal? No restrictions – no boundaries – no restraints. You could drive up and down Auburn Road at any spend you would choose. That would be wonderful – no that would be terrible. Some laws are there for our protection – for our safety.

Paul is not here saying that all things are lawful. In fact we must take the phrase, “…against such things there is no law.” in the context in which it was intended. Against love, against joy, against peace, against patience, against kindness, against goodness, against faithfulness, against gentleness, against self-control – there is no law – no restrictions – no boundaries – no restraints. I can do as much of them as I please – no one has passed a law saying that I can’t do them. In fact the more that I do – the better for me and for you.

In First Corinthians Paul says:

“All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify.” 1 Corth. 10:23 (NASB)

I like the way the Bible In Basic English puts it. It says:

“We are free to do all things, but there are things which it is not wise to do. We are free to do all things, but not all things are for the common good.” 1 Corth. 10:23 (BBE)

When it comes to the fruit of the Spirit – it is always wise to do them. When it comes to the fruit of the Spirit – it is always for the common good to be fruitful. In other words – don’t hold back – don’t put the brakes on – don’t worry about being arrested – about going to jail. “…against such things there is no law.”

God wants us to have a productive life you know. In John 15:8, Jesus says:

"My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.” John 15:8 (NASB)

God wants us to bear fruit – much fruit the verse says. He wants us to be productive and it is the fruit that proves we are disciples of Jesus.

The question then arises – how can I have a more productive life? How can I produce more fruit of the Spirit in my life? I think there are several things you can do to have a more fruitful – productive life.

If you use the image of fruit tree here are some things you can do.

Four Keys To Having A Spiritually Productive Life

1. Develop a Strong ROOT System

If we want to be fruitful – we must develop a strong root system. God says that without roots there will be no fruit. Jeremiah 17:7-8 says:

"Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD And whose trust is the LORD. For he will be like a tree planted by the water, That extends its roots by a stream And will not fear when the heat comes; But its leaves will be green, And it will not be anxious in a year of drought Nor cease to yield fruit.” Jer 17:7-8 (NASB)

This passage gives one reason why we need roots – to make it through tough times – times of heat and drought. Roots are the lifeline of nourishment for the entire plant or tree. Have you ever felt the heat in life – times when the pressure was on? That is when you need roots.

But notice what builds those strong roots – they are developed by trusting in the Lord. Faith – belief – trust in God help us to develop a strong root system.

Jesus said:

"Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.” John 14:1 (NASB)

Do you put your trust in God? Do you put your trust in Jesus? He will help you a strong root system. We all need that – because there are times in our lives when there is a drought – when hot winds blow. What do you trust in when that happens? Is your trust in the Lord? Do you trust in His promises?