What we’re called to do is surrender our lives and willingly work with the Spirit. We may not be able to fabricate these qualities – this “fruit” of the Holy Spirit in us - but we can and must apply ourselves to becoming more and more like Jesus each and every day. Think of it as a partnership: He develops the fruit only as much as you are working and applying yourself to the process of being made into Christ’s image. The fruit is the evidence of the Holy Spirit working in a willing heart.

In case you hear from someone that believers don’t have to work on their spiritual growth because it’s all God’s responsibility to build us up – let me point you to 2 Peter 1:3-8. Peter tells us that through these qualities, God gives us “everything we need for life and for godliness.” Peter says that these qualities come through our knowledge of Jesus, who called us by His own spiritual glory and very evident goodness. And Peter gives us these very important instructions that we must take to heart: “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith, goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Peter tells us to “make every effort” and gives us a laundry list of things to “add” to our spiritual lives-in-process. What’s more, Peter tells us to possess these things “in increasing measure.” That’s a perfect definition of spiritual growth: Make every effort to add to your growth, and possess these qualities in increasing measure. In case you need it spelled out for you: each of us is called to hard work hard in our spiritual growth; God develops the fruit in us – but we must be hard at work in partnership with Him!

So, how are we going to go about growing and partnering with God in developing these qualities? If the Holy Spirit does all the developing and producing of the fruit, what do we do?

I’ve got just the book for you! This summer, everyone at the Ridge is asked to read and study Max Lucado’s book, “Just Like Jesus.” It’s a great resource for helping you get in touch with our Heavenly Father to find out what He wants for you – and how you can go about working with Him to grow to be just like His Son. Lucado assures all of us that “God loves you just the way you are – but He refuses to leave you that way. He wants you to be just like Jesus.” This is what Lucado calls the “grand truth” that captures God’s desire for each of us.

The book is an easy read – but the study questions in the back of the book are challenging and thought-provoking. You can read a chapter in about 20 minutes; but doing the study questions should take you 5-10 minutes every day for a week! In fact, that’s what I encourage you to do. . . read a chapter a week, then think about and journal your answers to the study questions throughout the week.

Jesus can change hearts – and He wants you to have a heart like His. This summer and this book and the summer teaching series on Sunday mornings are key ingredients to your summer growth plan. Can you imagine what you could be like after a summer of growth where you are a willing participant who is totally and wholeheartedly surrendered to God and the process of growth He has in store for you?

Imagine what it means to be just like Jesus. Imagine what your life would be like if Jesus truly lived your life with His heart. That certainly is what Paul had in mind when he said: “I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live but Christ lives in me.” (Galatians 2:20)

We’re on our way! The summer of growth has begun - and it’s not too late to start. We have plenty of Lucado’s books available and plenty of copies of our “Spiritual Fruit Compendium and Almanac” available. The reading load is light; the Bible Study is all lined out for you in the summer growth plan; the teaching series is all planned out and underway. It’s time to commit to your growth plan, and let Jesus live your life with His heart!