How God Grows People
Many of us assume spiritual growth works the same way as self-improvement: try harder, do better, be more disciplined, be more consistent. But that isn’t how God actually grows people.
Jesus gives us a very different picture.
He tells us to think about a grapevine, or for us in New England, think of an apple tree. A healthy tree doesn’t force fruit into existence. It doesn’t strain, stress, or try harder. It simply stays rooted. It receives sunlight and rain. And over time, fruit appears. The fruit isn’t the result of effort; it’s the result of life.
The fruit isn’t the result of effort; it’s the result of life.
Jesus puts it this way:
John 15:5 I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.
That image helps us to think about our own growth. In the Christian life, real change doesn’t come from trying harder to love or to be more patient or kind. It comes from remaining close to Jesus, loving Him, and receiving life from Him.
Growth Comes From Abiding, Not Striving
We don’t grow by self-determination or willpower. We grow by turning toward Jesus again and again, and learning to trust and value what He says is true about us and about Himself.
When we live that way, the Holy Spirit produces fruit in us.
Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…
These qualities aren’t something we manufacture. We cannot even control our own self-control!
These acts of love are the Spirit’s work. Our role isn’t to force godly behavior; it’s to stay rooted in Christ—soaking in God’s grace and truth, believing His will is better than ours, and allowing His life to shape ours.
Do Our Efforts Matter?
Yes, they do—but maybe not in the way we often imagine.
The effort that matters most may be the daily choice to turn to Jesus instead of away from Him. It’s to receive His goodness and love into our hearts so that we love and genuinely want to follow Him. It’s to those things that prompt us to choose His way over ours, to say yes to His grace, yes to His wisdom, and yes to His leadership.
You Don’t Transform Yourself—Jesus Does
Here’s the good news many of us need to hear again: you are not asked to transform yourself. In fact, you can’t.
Here’s the good news many of us need to hear again: you are not asked to transform yourself. In fact, you can’t.
Both our salvation and our ongoing growth are gifts of grace. Jesus saves us, and Jesus changes us.
Philippians 1:6 He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.
Our role is to continue receiving God’s grace and truth, to receive His love, and to remain in a position of trust. This prepares our hearts to submit to Him, allowing Him to do the work He promises to finish.
So What’s Next?
Stay close to Jesus. Abide in His love. Root yourself in His Word, in a community of believers who love Him, and keep showing up in prayer, even on days when it feels ordinary or dry.
And when the Holy Spirit gently puts His finger on something in your life, agree with Him. Repent where needed. Then walk forward together, doing the things that He’s leading you to do. Even when it’s hard or doesn’t work in your favor. He uses this too.
That’s part of how God grows people—patiently, faithfully, and from the inside out.