For years, I treated the Christian life like a performance review. I thought fruit came from effort. I thought if I pushed hard enough, God would be pleased.
Then I learned something better.
The heart of this is participation, not performance.
You Are the Temple
Paul did not use a casual word for temple in 1 Corinthians 6:19.
1 Corinthians 6:19 “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?”
Temple means the inner shrine. The Holy of Holies. Not the outer court. Not the public space.
That means God is not visiting you from a distance. He has made His home in you.
You are not trying to get close to Him. You are living from His nearness.
Your Sin Has Been Let Go
The word means sent away. Let go. Released.
Psalm 103:12 “As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.”
In Christ, your sin has been sent away. Not postponed. Not managed. Sent away.
That is why your heart can rest.
You do not have to perform for a love you already have.
Stay Connected to the Vine
A branch does not strain to make grapes.
It stays connected.
John 15:5 “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”
That is the picture.
The Christian life is not you grunting your way into patience, peace, or joy. It is Christ living His life through you as you abide in His love.
Participation, not performance.
What I Learned in Weakness
When I walked through Stage 4 cancer and then COVID, I had very little strength left for anything impressive.
However, that season taught me something I will never forget: fruit still grows when you abide.
I was not strong. I was not productive. Still, God was faithful.
That is why I keep pointing people back to The Big Leap of Faith: believe God loves you exactly as you are.
Loved People Become Loving People
This is the order of grace.
You are loved first. Then love begins to flow.
Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”
Notice it is the fruit of the Spirit.
Not the product of your pressure.
Not the result of fear.
Loved people become loving people.
Rest in What Is Already True
If you feel tired, stop trying to be the vine.
Remember who lives in you. Remember what has been sent away. Remember where fruit comes from.
Romans 8:1 “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”
You are the Temple
Your sin has been forgiven.
So rest. Abide. Receive.
Let the Vine do what only the Vine can do.
For more encouragement, listen to the Followed By Mercy podcast. You can also read more at The Big Leap of Faith and connect with Alignment Ministries. Check out waustingardner.com
#Grace #FaithBasedDevelopment #AustinGardner