The goal of the Christian life is Christ-likeness; to produce the fruit of the Spirit that Paul famously described in Galatians 5. But what are the necessary conditions for spiritual growth? Paul tells us in Romans 5. The first four are ones we can all get excited about – faith, peace, grace and hope. The second five, not so much. Suffering inaugurates a chain of linked virtues – perseverance, character and hope. The ultimate goal of spiritual growth is growing in belonging to our incredible God. As we humble ourselves and accept the conditions that he has ordained for spiritual growth – especially suffering, our hearts desire is that each of us grow in belonging to God – feeling and being at home with him, and helping others find belonging in him as well.

The book of Romans is a spiritual gardening guide of how to produce good spiritual fruit, and it’s summed up by Belong – Grow – Share. Romans 1-4 tells us how to belong to Jesus. Romans 5-8 tells us how to grow in Jesus, and Romans 12-16 tells us what a life that belongs to Jesus and is growing in him should look like. The last part of the book describes the spiritually healthy fruit of a spiritually healthy plant. It’s a life characterised by Sharing; sharing the agape love of God by sincerely desiring the best for others and honouring them above ourselves, sharing our faith because the Spirit of God has set us on fire with his love and power, sharing our joy and hope with others, sharing our example of patience in affliction and faithfulness in prayer, sharing our possessions so that the physical needs of our brothers and sisters in Christ are met, and sharing hospitality with strangers – both inside and outside of the family of God.