Before even a seed is sown, there is a need to preserve all things needed in order for the fruit to be produced. More preservation goes into its budding and sproutting and post harvesting. The same goes for the preservation needed to produce fruits of the spirit (Gal 5:22 - 23) and we are off - beam to think we can preserve for such. Ours is to be obedient to His word, and Christ the vine, subsequently preserves our spirits in order to produce the [His] fruits in us and sustains it. We aren't self sufficient nor do we know the cores of the fruits and thus cannot preserve or produce them ourselves. It is only through His preservation that the love, joy, peace, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, forbearance and self control can be beneficial and sustained to ourselves and those it is meant for.