What Fruit Do You Display?
Let’s start today with a quote from Pastor Tim on Sunday.
“Let me ask you a question. Have you ever seen a group of people standing around an apple tree arguing over whether or not it's an apple tree? No, why? Because it has apples. We have to convince people we love Jesus because they can't see it. This is revelation knowledge. This has to become more than a message we hear. It has to become something that shows up in our life.” Pastor Tim
Yesterday we talked about what Jesus says we are save for and that is to see transformation in ourselves but also the world around us. Therefore, it is necessary for us to examine the fruit in our lives. I love the illustration Pastor Tim gave about the apple tree. No one questions an apple tree because the fruit clearly displays its identity. Do you ever wonder why we have friends or relatives that refuse to surrender to Jesus? Could it be because of the fruit they see on our “tree of life”?
Jesus gives us a clear picture in Luke 6 pertaining to fruit. “You’ll never find choice fruit hanging on a bad, unhealthy tree. And rotten fruit doesn’t hang on a good, healthy tree. Every tree will be revealed by the quality of fruit that it produces. You will never pick figs or grapes from thorn trees. People are known in this same way. Out of the virtue stored in their hearts, good and upright people will produce good fruit. Likewise, out of the evil hidden in their hearts, evil ones will produce what is evil. For the overflow of what has been stored in your heart will be seen by your fruit and will be heard in your words. “What good does it do for you to say I am your Lord and Master if you don’t put into practice what I teach you? Let me describe the one who truly follows me and does what I say: He is like a man who chooses the right place to build a house and then lays a deep and secure foundation. When the storms and floods rage against that house, it continues to stand strong and unshaken through the tempest, for he built it wisely on the right foundation. But the one who has heard my teaching and does not obey it is like a man who builds a house without laying any foundation at all. When the storms and floods rage against that house, it will immediately collapse and become a total loss. Which of these two builders will you be?
Jesus gives us a choice concerning the kind of fruit we offer the world around us. We know the fruit of the Spirit that is produced in us is divine LOVE in all its varied expressions: joy, peace, patience, kindness, virtue, faith, gentleness, and strength of spirit. (See Galatians 5:22 TPT) We can’t have two kinds of fruit and be an effective tree of life to those around us.
Kingdom culture looks like you laying down your opinions and appetites to do your will and be led by His voice. Let’s sit for a moment. Turn your heart to the Holy Spirit. Ask Him how he wants your day to look. Write in a journal what He shows you for today.
