We've all heard that we need to bear fruit unto God. We've heard that faith without works is dead, and then feel guilty and inadequite, because we don't see the fruit in our lives. The thing is, we missed the power of the concept of a tree bearing fruit. God's idea is not for us to put pressure on ourselves, trying to bear fruit, but to be whom He made us to be. I can only be myself. I can not be anyone else. If I were to try to be anyone else, I would stop being myself, and present a deceiving image to the people around me, pruducing works that does not flow out of my identity. All the works flowing out of such self effort, effort in trying to be something I am not, are false works, and as fake as a flee market gold watch. I would then be stuck in a life of pretence.
Let me put it this way. Sometimes certain fruit and vegetable grocers use fake plastic fruit as a permanent display in their shop windows. The fruit sometimes look convincingly real, but have no nutritional value. Its intention is never to give nutrition, but to look like it. If I were to be hungry, and were to take a bite from a fake banana, my teeth would hurt, and I would find no pleasure or benefit from the experience. But if I were to sink my teeth into a real banana, I would taste the sweetness of the fruit, and my body would benefit from its nutritional value.Col 2:20 If then you have died with Christ to material ways of looking at things and have escaped from the world's crude and elemental notions and teachings of externalism, why do you live as if you still belong to the world? [Why do you submit to rules and regulations?-such as]
2:21 Do not handle [this], Do not taste [that], Do not even touch [them],
2:22 Referring to things all of which perish with being used. To do this is to follow human precepts and doctrines.
2:23 Such [practices] have indeed the outward appearance [that popularly passes] for wisdom, in promoting self-imposed rigor of devotion and delight in self-humiliation and severity of discipline of the body, but they are of no value in checking the indulgence of the flesh (the lower nature). [Instead, they do not honor God but serve only to indulge the flesh.]
Teachings with you in the centre, doctrines teaching you to modify your behaviour, have no value in checking the indulgence of the flesh. It only serves to indulge the flesh even more. It only produces a life of pretending that it's real and does work, like plastic fruit.
Sadly the church at large has become a society of pretence. Real fruit is nowhere to be seen and most people only try make a display of fruit convincing enough to look better than their neighbours. An image of what they need to become is etched in their minds, and they constantly try to pass themselves off as that particular image. The true standard of the law is also severely compromised. If we really understood what the law expects from its followers, no one would even try to fulfill it.
People in general have no idea who they are, and only have an image of who they think they're supposed to be. They then copy the behaviour of individuals whom they can see and idolise, and who present desirable images or lifestyles. One individual would do something different or inspiring, and the rest would try to pass themselves off as that person. How many people copy the hair styles, fashion and lifestyles of celebrities, and even the celebrities only show the public a fake glamorous image, the pretence that their lives are indeed picture perfect. Inside however, a lot of those people are empty and dead and are living a torturous life of trying to be someone they created in their own minds. They never get to a point where they are satisfied with who they are.
In church this also happens. A picture is painted in the minds of church goers through doctrine and preaching; a picture of who they're supposed to be. People don't think that they are notable, and think that they must become something which they are not, when in fact Christ already forgave our sins and washed them away with His own blood. This upside down mind set, makes people to pretend that they are what they think they must become. Everyone becomes actors, and no one is truly who they were made to be. This is a terrible waste of people's lives. When we go to church, we need to hear who He really is, so that He can show us who we already are. We need to hear that God is good, and that all our sins are already forgiven, so that we can understand that through His goodness, and through what He did, we are now perfect and holy. This true perception of identity will produce the true fruit, and the power of God will be demonstrated through us.
If I had a garden with a fig tree, it would be ludicrous to expect that tree to bear apples. In the same way, God does not expect of you to be someone you're not. Neither removing undesireable figs from a fig tree, nor trying to force a fig tree to bear apples will produces apples, but planting an apple tree would produce apples. Jesus Christ did pay a price, to redeem the fig trees of the world, in order for them to change in nature, and become apple trees. When we first believed, we were crucified with Christ. Our old nature died, and we were reborn. The fig tree in us was cut down, and an apple tree was planted in its stead. God changed your nature. Now it is simply the nature of the apple tree to bear apples. There is no effort involved. The apple tree is simply being what it was created (or recreated) to be. You were dead in your trespasses, but now you have been made alive by His Spirit in fellowship and union with Him (Eph2:5). It was done to satisfy His intense love for us (Eph 2:4)! Fruit comes in season, and simply out of the nature of the tree. The apple tree doesn't strain itself to produce apples. It just enjoys being an apple tree, and fruit automatically comes.
2:23 Such [practices] have indeed the outward appearance [that popularly passes] for wisdom, in promoting self-imposed rigor of devotion and delight in self-humiliation and severity of discipline of the body, but they are of no value in checking the indulgence of the flesh (the lower nature). [Instead, they do not honor God but serve only to indulge the flesh.]
Teachings with you in the centre, doctrines teaching you to modify your behaviour, have no value in checking the indulgence of the flesh. It only serves to indulge the flesh even more. It only produces a life of pretending that it's real and does work, like plastic fruit.
Sadly the church at large has become a society of pretence. Real fruit is nowhere to be seen and most people only try make a display of fruit convincing enough to look better than their neighbours. An image of what they need to become is etched in their minds, and they constantly try to pass themselves off as that particular image. The true standard of the law is also severely compromised. If we really understood what the law expects from its followers, no one would even try to fulfill it.
People in general have no idea who they are, and only have an image of who they think they're supposed to be. They then copy the behaviour of individuals whom they can see and idolise, and who present desirable images or lifestyles. One individual would do something different or inspiring, and the rest would try to pass themselves off as that person. How many people copy the hair styles, fashion and lifestyles of celebrities, and even the celebrities only show the public a fake glamorous image, the pretence that their lives are indeed picture perfect. Inside however, a lot of those people are empty and dead and are living a torturous life of trying to be someone they created in their own minds. They never get to a point where they are satisfied with who they are.
In church this also happens. A picture is painted in the minds of church goers through doctrine and preaching; a picture of who they're supposed to be. People don't think that they are notable, and think that they must become something which they are not, when in fact Christ already forgave our sins and washed them away with His own blood. This upside down mind set, makes people to pretend that they are what they think they must become. Everyone becomes actors, and no one is truly who they were made to be. This is a terrible waste of people's lives. When we go to church, we need to hear who He really is, so that He can show us who we already are. We need to hear that God is good, and that all our sins are already forgiven, so that we can understand that through His goodness, and through what He did, we are now perfect and holy. This true perception of identity will produce the true fruit, and the power of God will be demonstrated through us.
If I had a garden with a fig tree, it would be ludicrous to expect that tree to bear apples. In the same way, God does not expect of you to be someone you're not. Neither removing undesireable figs from a fig tree, nor trying to force a fig tree to bear apples will produces apples, but planting an apple tree would produce apples. Jesus Christ did pay a price, to redeem the fig trees of the world, in order for them to change in nature, and become apple trees. When we first believed, we were crucified with Christ. Our old nature died, and we were reborn. The fig tree in us was cut down, and an apple tree was planted in its stead. God changed your nature. Now it is simply the nature of the apple tree to bear apples. There is no effort involved. The apple tree is simply being what it was created (or recreated) to be. You were dead in your trespasses, but now you have been made alive by His Spirit in fellowship and union with Him (Eph2:5). It was done to satisfy His intense love for us (Eph 2:4)! Fruit comes in season, and simply out of the nature of the tree. The apple tree doesn't strain itself to produce apples. It just enjoys being an apple tree, and fruit automatically comes.
We have heard the Gospel, and believed it. Now we can trust the Word of God to bear fruit unto God in our lives. We need only to hear what Jesus Christ did for us. That will reveal to us who we really are, and will cause the fruit to come naturally.
John 15:1 I AM the True Vine, and My Father is the Vinedresser.
15:2 Any branch in Me that does not bear fruit [that stops bearing] He cuts away (trims off, takes away); and He cleanses and repeatedly prunes every branch that continues to bear fruit, to make it bear more and richer and more excellent fruit.
15:3 You are cleansed and pruned already, because of the word which I have given you [the teachings I have discussed with you].
15:4 Dwell in Me, and I will dwell in you. [Live in Me, and I will live in you.] Just as no branch can bear fruit of itself without abiding in (being vitally united to) the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you abide in Me.
15:5 I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing.
15:6 If a person does not dwell in Me, he is thrown out like a [broken-off] branch, and withers; such branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire, and they are burned.
15:7 If you live in Me [abide vitally united to Me] and My words remain in you and continue to live in your hearts, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you.
15:8 When you bear (produce) much fruit, My Father is honored and glorified, and you show and prove yourselves to be true followers of Mine.
Preachers, please, don't try to become like the preacher who has ministered to you. Sometimes preachers manifest the life of Christ and bear fruit unto God, and then others try to imitate the fruit of that preacher. The message of the Gospel has power in itself to produce fruit in your own life. This word changes you as you hear it, and the Spirit of God bears fruit in you! Fruit can never be imitated. Imitation fruit has only one function, and that is to try and convince people that the true fruit is there, but when the people try to eat the fruit, it will not benefit them.
Yes it is the Holy Spirit's fruit in your life, and yes the true works of Christ will happen through you, but the fruit is not produced by our efforts, but by the Holy Spirit. The fruit is produced by the Holy Spirit through the preaching and believing of the Gospel message! Christ died for you, and now lives inside you!
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness,
5:23 Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [that can bring a charge].
5:24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus (the Messiah) have crucified the flesh (the godless human nature) with its passions and appetites and desires.
5:25 If we live by the [Holy] Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. [If by the Holy Spirit we have our life in God, let us go forward walking in line, our conduct controlled by the Spirit.]
5:26 Let us not become vainglorious and self-conceited, competitive and challenging and provoking and irritating to one another, envying and being jealous of one another.
Hear and receive the message, and let Christ Himself reveal to you who you are. Stop trying to be like other people. Be who God made you. If you copy another preacher it will only irritate the preacher who you are trying to copy, and everyone else will see it's fake. Bear your own fruit. This is only possible by hearing and hearing and hearing the Word of God, and welcoming the Holy Spirit into your life. Let Him have free reign in your life, and let Him prompt your every move. He will then produce true fruit that will bring life to all around you, and you will be a beacon of hope to people who desperately need guidance.
I pray that the Lord Jesus Christ will reveal to you whom He has made you to be, in Christ. I pray that you will know the freedom of being who you truly are. I pray that the Spirit in you will bear much fruit, bringing life to the world!
Bless you!
John 15:1 I AM the True Vine, and My Father is the Vinedresser.
15:2 Any branch in Me that does not bear fruit [that stops bearing] He cuts away (trims off, takes away); and He cleanses and repeatedly prunes every branch that continues to bear fruit, to make it bear more and richer and more excellent fruit.
15:3 You are cleansed and pruned already, because of the word which I have given you [the teachings I have discussed with you].
15:4 Dwell in Me, and I will dwell in you. [Live in Me, and I will live in you.] Just as no branch can bear fruit of itself without abiding in (being vitally united to) the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you abide in Me.
15:5 I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing.
15:6 If a person does not dwell in Me, he is thrown out like a [broken-off] branch, and withers; such branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire, and they are burned.
15:7 If you live in Me [abide vitally united to Me] and My words remain in you and continue to live in your hearts, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you.
15:8 When you bear (produce) much fruit, My Father is honored and glorified, and you show and prove yourselves to be true followers of Mine.
Preachers, please, don't try to become like the preacher who has ministered to you. Sometimes preachers manifest the life of Christ and bear fruit unto God, and then others try to imitate the fruit of that preacher. The message of the Gospel has power in itself to produce fruit in your own life. This word changes you as you hear it, and the Spirit of God bears fruit in you! Fruit can never be imitated. Imitation fruit has only one function, and that is to try and convince people that the true fruit is there, but when the people try to eat the fruit, it will not benefit them.
Yes it is the Holy Spirit's fruit in your life, and yes the true works of Christ will happen through you, but the fruit is not produced by our efforts, but by the Holy Spirit. The fruit is produced by the Holy Spirit through the preaching and believing of the Gospel message! Christ died for you, and now lives inside you!
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness,
5:23 Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [that can bring a charge].
5:24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus (the Messiah) have crucified the flesh (the godless human nature) with its passions and appetites and desires.
5:25 If we live by the [Holy] Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. [If by the Holy Spirit we have our life in God, let us go forward walking in line, our conduct controlled by the Spirit.]
5:26 Let us not become vainglorious and self-conceited, competitive and challenging and provoking and irritating to one another, envying and being jealous of one another.
Hear and receive the message, and let Christ Himself reveal to you who you are. Stop trying to be like other people. Be who God made you. If you copy another preacher it will only irritate the preacher who you are trying to copy, and everyone else will see it's fake. Bear your own fruit. This is only possible by hearing and hearing and hearing the Word of God, and welcoming the Holy Spirit into your life. Let Him have free reign in your life, and let Him prompt your every move. He will then produce true fruit that will bring life to all around you, and you will be a beacon of hope to people who desperately need guidance.
I pray that the Lord Jesus Christ will reveal to you whom He has made you to be, in Christ. I pray that you will know the freedom of being who you truly are. I pray that the Spirit in you will bear much fruit, bringing life to the world!
Bless you!
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