Are You Giving Fruit?
"No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thorn bushes, or grapes from briers. A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of." -Jesus (Luke 6:43-45)
Are you GIVING fruit?
You were born to bear fruit. You weren’t born to keep it.
"live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: BEARING FRUIT in every good work" -Paul (Colossians 1:10)
How do you live your faith intentionally and boldly so God works in you and through you? Here are 3 ways this happens.
1) PRODUCE FRUITGod’s Holy Spirit is the one who produces fruit in us and through us. When we're producing Holy Spirit fruit, we live outward and when we live outward, we produce Holy Spirit fruit. When we live outward on mission, this demonstrates our inward maturity. In fact, it can be said we are a mature follower of Jesus if we are living it outward. The life of a Christian is that of living out by faith. Fruit which God’s Spirit cultivates inside of us comes out to impact the lives of others.
Apostle Paul wrote this to inform and encourage the church in Galatia what the fruit of the Spirit is and it can be applied to our own lives today. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Galatians 5:22-23
Jesus wants us to be people who, no matter what we face, are known by our love and by the Fruit of the Spirit.
2) LIVE BY THE SPIRITWhen we live by the Spirit, it is evident into the lives of others. If we live by the flesh we think of ourselves. If we live by the Spirit we think of God first and foremost, then others, lastly ourselves. Isn't this how Jesus lived-- sacrificially? When we follow his model by living our faith outward, we allow others to see the light of Christ within us and this is one way Father God receives glory. Giving glory to the Father was the exclusive ambition, the primary purpose, for Jesus during his ministry.
"Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God." -Paul (2 Corinthians 5:20)
3) LIVE INTENTIONALLY
By intentionally living our Christian faith this way, we also model to those who we disciple (mentor), to do likewise. Living to manifest Holy Spirit fruit through us by living our faith outward, we fulfill the true meaning of ambassadorship for our calling as representing who Christ really is to the world, through the church.
"In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." -Jesus (Matthew 5:16)
I hope you are encouraged today to live out your faith producing fruit, by the Spirit, intentionally and boldly more and more. I pray in the name of Jesus the Fruit of the Spirit is cultivated in you, grows in you, and blooms through you into the lives of others you encounter so they too can experience the new life that comes only from the power of the Holy Spirit.
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