But some of the seeds fall on good soil and their response is to produce the fruits of the Spirit in abundance. Here we see the development of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control which enable a church to reflect for the world a community based on Christian love. There is no law against such things. (Galatians 5:22-23)
The message to the church is obvious. When you begin to see these types of fruits experienced in a congregation, it is hard to imagine such a congregation not growing in vitality. We live in a world that is starved for such fruits.
It is a mystery why it happens for some and not for others. Sometimes the quality of the soil is determined by what happens within a believer and sometimes by the environment around her in the church or the greater world. But it begins by the act of baptism by which the community gives affirmation to the priority of the love of God.
