Cultivate

John Wesley (founder of the movement that became the United Methodist Church) often spoke about the concept of "Christian Perfection." Trying to share that concept today is problematic because we get caught up in the definition of "perfection." Wesley wasn't suggesting that we are going to become perfect people. Instead it was that we are being drawn by God down a path that leads us to become more like Christ in our life.

What does it look like to be "perfect?" Tough question to answer, but I suppose the fruits of the Spirit are a good example. Galatians 5:22-23 describes those fruit. (22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. NIV translation) During the next several weeks we're going to seek to figure out how we begin to allow the Spirit of God to work in our lives to cultivate this fruit.

So I'll ask you, what do you do that helps you to be more patient, kind, faithful, or gentle? How do you manage your own level of self-control? What do you do to be more loving, have more joy, seek peace in all your relationships, be kind and good to others? For the next several days, time allowing, I'll begin to share some thoughts on that first fruit... Love.

Talk to me.

In Christ's Love,
Pastor Dave