A quote from the post-Reformation theologian Francis Turretin. This is an analogy used to illustrate the evidences of salvation which accompany faith in Christ. It has been said, in a recent series on the fruit of the Spirit, that we (believers) should not see the fruit as something for which we must plant seeds (Dr. R.C. Sproul, Jr.'s "Spirit of the Fruit" series - click HERE). The Holy Spirit, indwelling believers, naturally produces this fruit in us. Our responsibility is to live in light of what we know to be true; we must believe God. We renew our minds and nourish our souls with the reading of God's Word, by praying, by singing, by our hearing of His Word preached, through fellowship with the saints, etc. Our labor is very organic in that it is a simple and natural out-working of the Holy Spirit within us. We do not adher to a "let go, let God" mentality, for He accomplishes growth in us through means. God has given us responsibilities in various spheres of life; we do actually plan our steps and walk in His ways.
The pursuit of holiness is not a hard, long road to something we can only imagine. God has made us holy through the power of His Holy Spirit and the finished work of Jesus Christ. His call for us to be holy is a call to grow, to mature. It is a call to strive toward the ultimate perfection that we will not obtain in this life. But be clear, the pursuit does not involve obtaining the fruit of the Spirit; that fruit is already present in the believer because it necessarily accompanies saving faith.
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