FRUIT BEARING

By Rick Mathes

John 15:16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask of the Father in My name, He may give to you.

We were created in God’s image and likeness to enjoy and worship Him. As such to exhibit our enjoyment, ease, gains and satisfaction in Him for His glory. It is simply a removal of self (no fruit) and the blossoming of a flower (good fruit) as evidence of our born-again metamorphosis. We change from a worm to a butterfly as He intended us to process in our sanctification efforts.

We exist in a playground of God’s mind and vivid imagination. His creative genius provided us with a blue pearl hanging in the midst of a mind-blowing universe of glittering wonders for us to enjoy and reach out for. Here on planet earth is a garden of miracles and endless wonder for us to care for and be in good stewardship for Him.

His creative pride however in man and our “good fruit” responsibility begins with our heath and mental well-being. This includes our ingenuity and creative energies and accomplishments in the material world of things competing for our time and to own us.

One of my guideposts to God is, “I think, therefore I am.” I concluded from this revelation that a “thinking I AM” must exists, the first cause. When you confess Jesus is Lord, that is intellectual ascent but when you confess Jesus as Lord it becomes Lordship salvation, the fruit of sanctification. Your born again experience is true and the fruit is your burning desire is to repent from you sins, submit to His Lordship and obey His smallest command. He is God.

The fruit of love is the object of affection and God is love. How deep is your love and where is it placed? One gage is your checkbook registry. Where you money goes is where your heart led it. And there is the yardstick of your friends and family. Your world-view is reflected by the world you have nurtured around you. Understand that love is not an emotion; it is a decision. Satan can and does a counterfeit emotion so I don’t trust them even though they may be genuine in reflected your Godly love.

Our body is the home, the temple of our living God. All other sins are outside of our bodies but sexual immorality is within and a grievous sin against the Holy Spirit and a defilement of the soul. Abstaining from immoral sex is the fruit of the holiness God demands and it is a natural blessing of a healthy three; purity of true nature.

The fruit of religion rituals and man’s best efforts to reach God are fruitless works of no value. Christianity is being in Christ. It is His election and choice of you. The greatest fruit is complete abandonment in Him as Lord and Savior.