Our fruitfulness (what we do, how we act and our Christ-like character) hinges directly on our BELONGING to Christ Jesus. Notice that the fruit of the Spirit is connected to those of us who belong to Jesus Christ. But this belonging hinges upon our understanding, our faith or our union with the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus.
If the work of the cross is simply a passport into heaven and you are still trying to overcome your flesh and you are still trying to relate to God based on a system of do’s and dont’s...then you will find it hard to experience the belonging promised to us in the New Covenant. We must accept the fact that Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection has become our own. And this is great news for us! This means that our flesh, along with its lusts and passions have once and for all been crucified! This means that we no longer have to relate to God based on our own performance...we can belong to him even in the midst of a struggle! Why? Because our nearness and our connection with him rests solely upon the work of Christ. In this place of belonging we find God’s love, his correction, his wisdom and his grace to continue to grow up into the character and likeness of Christ.
But if we do not accept this as our highest calling...to BELONG to Christ Jesus, we will seek connection with God through all the things we DO for him. And this is a dead end road and one that leaves many Christians burned out, frustrated and tired. The answer is simple. Consider yourself dead to sin, dead to the lusts of the flesh and draw near to God. Allow him to love, even in weakness, and get used to being close to him even when you’re still trying to overcome weakness and brokenness. You are called to belong. You are called to be a saint. The result of this calling? A fruitful life lived to the glory of God!