Bearing fruit

The Bible talks about bearing fruit. What is this exactly? When you become a follower of Christ and He places His Spirit in you, you have everything you need. "Fruit" is looking like Jesus. It isn't just saying the words, but doing things that please the Father. It is your actions-giving to the needy, being obedient to the Father, loving as He loves, forgiving others as He forgives us, not thinking of yourselves, but putting others before you, trusting God in the most difficult of circumstances, it is kindness. joy and peace. These things do not come naturally for us, but God begins the process to change us from the inside out making us more and more like Jesus. God tells us in His word that every branch bears fruit (John 15:2). He also prunes us so that we will produce more fruit. This pruning involves getting the junk out of us like bitterness, resentment, complacency, selfishness, pride and wrong thinking to name a few. God doesn't take you through trials and tribulations to just leave you where you are at. Everything He does, He does so in love and to cause us to fix our eyes on Him and be more like Him. Jesus is the vine, apart from Him we can do nothing (that is nothing worthy of His kingdom), People are known by their fruit. You can look at someone's life and see whether or not they are a true follower of Christ. "Each tree is recognized by its own fruit." Luke 6:44 "The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks." Luke 6:45. Jesus goes on to say "Why do you call me Lord. Lord and do not do what I say?" Luke 6:46 A follower of Christ is obedient and does what Jesus asks. There are many who think they are saved and Jesus has an answer for them..."Not everyone who says to me Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day MANY will say to me, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and cast out demons in Your name, and do many mighty works in Your name? And then will I declare to them, I never knew you; depart from me you workers of lawlessness." Matthew 7:21-23 These words should bring chills up your spine, I know they do mine. The fruit we produce is a result of our salvation, of what God is doing in and through us. Every child of God will produce fruit. 1 John 3:4-7 says "Everyone who makes a practice of sinning (that is habitually sinning) also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. You know that He appeared to take away sins, and in Him there is no sin. No one who abides in Him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen Him or known Him. Little children, let no one deceive you." There is no grey area in the matter of salvation. You are either a child of God or you are in sin and under the influence of satan. I feel it is so important to get that point across because so many people tend to water down God's word or take scripture out of context to suit their needs. Okay, I got a little side-tracked, but there is a sense of urgency...we do not know when we will breathe our last breath. We take it for granted that tomorrow will come or when things get better or when I get older or when I have a different job-you feel in the blank, I will choose to follow Christ. Today is the day. If you hear His voice, do not harden your heart. He lovingly calls you. Or if you are saved, but have gone down the wrong path breaking fellowship with Him and are not living for Him, run back into His arms like the prodigal son. He is waiting for you and wants to clothe you with His robe of righteousness. "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Romans 10:13

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Live for God, not man

Paul wrote these words in Galations, "Am I now trying to win the approval of men or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ." 1:10 Which one are you doing? Who do you place your confidence in? It is so easy to get caught up in pleasing other people, but we can never please everyone no matter how hard we try. We need to look to the One who is the author and finisher of our faith. Do everything that you do for the glory of God. He is the One you will stand before one day, not your spouse, your parents your children or your friends. We are called to be set apart. This means that sometimes we are to take a stand even when it is difficult and may (probably will) cause division. When Christ comes in and takes over, He begins to change you from the inside out. This is not something you can do on your own. Things you once did, you no longer have the desire to do and when you are tempted, God will show you the way ...
Read more

Hold on!

"The One who calls you is faithful and He will do it." 1 Thessalonians 5:24 We serve a God who is so faithful. He is faithful to us even when we are not. He has an appointed time for everything. And friend, His purpose will prevail. This is not in our time...we must remember, that it is in His perfect timing. He knows what is best for us and He will work ALL things for our good for those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose. He uses all of our circumstances to conform us to the likeness of His Son Jesus. Romans 8:28-29 My friend, I don't know what you are going through or how long you have been waiting for the answer from God, but please do not give up. Don't lose hope in the fact that your God is mighty and powerful. Don't stop short of the answer. He tells us in His word to not get weary in well-doing, for in due season, if you faint not, you will receive your reward.Galatians 6:9 This is a promise from God Almighty. He cannot lie. But we have t...
Read more

Satan Is Your Enemy, Not People

I know there are times when it feels like others are truly your enemy, by the things they say or how they treat you, however, they are not your real enemy-satan is. While he does use people as part of his strategy, he is always the one behind the warfare. You must remember this at all times. Don't let satan catch you off guard. He will come at you especially during times you are tired both physically and emotionally. He comes only to kill, steal and destroy-your family, your testimony, your finances, your relationships and your health. satan is the father of lies, he was a murderer from the beginning and there is no truth found in him (John 8:44).      Satan has been deceiving people since the Garden of Eden where he first deceived Eve. He appeared to her and asked "Did God really say, you must not eat from any tree in the garden?" which caused her to question God (Genesis 3:1). Make no mistake, satan knows the word of God and he will distort it for his evil schemes. He...
Read more