The church pastor's worry is that after spending time and money nurt…

The worries of a church pastor are…😥
…They invest time and money in nurturing…😭
…and yet…they are disappointed when…they have hardly…grown…
…
Verse 20 says
"I am at a loss as to what to do with you…😰"

Paul also writes❗️
…Whether a Christian is spiritually growing depends on how much fruit of the Spirit they bear.
…Galatians 5:22-23.
These
"fruits of the Spirit" are the "fruits of Christ's character" and represent the "Christian nature."
Therefore, when we bear the "fruit of the Spirit,"
it means we are clothed in the "character and nature of Christ," and we become "like Christ."
Becoming "like Christ" is what it means to be a spiritually grown Christian.
…Acts 11:26.

"The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch."
... Not self-proclaimed Christians...
Those who are called Christians by others are true Christians!

*They are people who are respected by others, who are seen as "Christians" by others, and who shine brightly...
"I knew they were Christians after all!"
...In the church... there is a younger brother who is not very conspicuous but deeply devoted to his older brother!

His sincere service to his brother... makes me admire him; he's truly like Christ.
... May Christ be formed in your hearts!

Shalom 😃

This page archives a Morning Word message shared by Pastor Peter Sunagawa on LINE. The English prose is a translation of the Japanese source message. For Scripture wording, use the BSB link above.