After we realize how great God is and learn about our need to adore Him, a feeling of our love for Him needs to be expressed in a tangible way. Some say that there is no way we can do anything for God. That's not true. Maybe these people just don't want to do anything. One thing we are asked to do for the Lord in the scriptures is to live in a worthy manner. We pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work. (Col 1:10)
When the Lord redeems us we suddenly have an inherent value. This value is what causes us to desire an intense relationship with God. As we gladly seek ways to please Him the fruits begin to appear in our lives. Yes. All Christians have fruit. Maybe someone has more fruit on the tree of faith than they do on the tree of love but all the fruits are growing as the Spirit places the strength in our heart.
Folks have funny ideas about spiritual fruit. But something that is for sure, you can never give it all away. As fast as we give it to others the more we find on our tree. This is not as silly as it sounds. Try giving away all your Christian love and see what happens. The production of spiritual fruits is done by the power of the Spirit that dwells in us.
Some people wonder if it is really necessary to have Jesus living in us. The Scripture is clear about this. God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. (1 John 5:11,12) The only way to have the Spirit (the Son) is to let Him live in you. People who fear having Jesus controlling their life have plainly no experience with Him. Jesus living in you is pleasant and also beneficial. But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. (Rom 6:22)
For 2000 years people have tried to live a holy life. Remember though, holy deeds do not make a holy person. Holy deeds are known in the Bible as the fruit. Having fruit does not necessarily make you the tree. Our holiness IS Jesus Christ. The fruit of holiness is the fruit of Jesus. We do not want to carry any fruit we can produce to God. That is counterfeit fruit and God is not pleased with fake fruit. When we run our lives ourselves the holy life of Jesus, our Master, cannot shine through to others. Trusting Jesus with more areas of our life is the only way we can grow in grace. It is time for us to get ourselves out of the way so that the power of God can begin to do God's work.
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