Experiencing Friendship With GodSampl

Friendship Over Perfectionism

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—the fruit of the Spirit—are all attributes we strive for. We try to conjure these up through our own goodwill and self-discipline. Yet, according to Galatians 5:22-23, it is the Holy Spirit’s work to create this fruit, while it is our work to live step by step with Him. “Since we live by the Spirit,let us keep in step with the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25).

True spiritual transformation begins with authentic friendship. It’s not about becoming or achieving. It’s about being with the Holy Spirit.

As the friendship gets richer, you start to know Him beyond His approval or disapproval. You start to understand His heart. You know what grieves Him and quenches Him. You begin to grasp His perspective and see things from His point of view. Your desire to change is no longer a fruit of obligation or shame but rather of love.

You do not have to strive for the ultimate picture of perfection. Instead, you can focus on stewarding this very moment with God. And after this very moment passes, you focus on the next.

At every decision, you heed His counsel. During every loss, you mourn with the ever-present Helper. When you fail, you repent and trust the Advocate. Every moment is an opportunity for an interaction of some sort because He is available, accessible, and kind.

You do not have to consider everything you must do, but rather focus on what He is leading you to do right now. Even when a task feels impossible to accomplish, you breathe and petition Him for supernatural strength. The accumulation of these moments produces the fruit of the Spirit! As you take it moment to moment and step by step, He will build your character and shape your heart.

In what ways have you been looking at the Christian life as a crusade of personal achievement? How would it change things to instead look at spiritual transformation as a consequence of living in relationship with God?