Flourishing in Fruit – The Fruit of the Spirit

    So far in our study of ‘Flourishing in Fruit’ we have learned about the need to bear good fruit – by which God is glorified and we show ourselves to be disciples of Jesus (John 15:5, 8) – and that we need to work to keep our hearts pure because that is where our fruit develops (please read and consider Matthew 12:33-37). We have also taken a closer look at the fruit we bear: our conduct (fruit of repentance: Matthew 3:8, fruit of righteousness: Philippians 1:9-11, 2 Corinthians 9:10, and fruit of good works/generosity: Colossians 1:9-11) and our words (Hebrews 13:15, Matthew 12:33-37). These two areas of our lives – what we do and what we say – reveal our heart to others.

    Now, I would like you to open your Bible to Galatians 5:16-26 and take the time to read this passage and consider the fruit that the Spirit bears in us. 

    There are two types of fruit depicted here: the fruit of the flesh, and the fruit of the Spirit. The fruit of the flesh is developed by serving self in selfish pursuits and the fruit of the Spirit is developed by serving God in godly* pursuits

*godly = worthy (Colossians 1:9-11), profitable (Titus 3:8, 14), kind (Philippians 2:3-4; 4:5), pious (2 Timothy 2:22), reverent (Hebrews 12:28)

“And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” (Galatians 5:24 NKJV)

    Jesus tells us in Matthew 16:24-26 that we are to deny self, take up our cross, and follow Him. The apostle Paul echoes this when he gave instruction to “present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God” (Romans 12:1, and think on his statement in Galatians 2:20). When we are baptized we bury the old man of sin and we rise to “walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:3-4), we “put on the new man which was created according to God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:17-24); it is not about us and our selfish wants and desires anymore, we devote ourselves to God and serving Him acceptably (Hebrews 12:28, Ephesians 5:15-17). This is a daily endeavour, a determination we make from the moment we open our eyes each morning, and one that we remind ourselves of throughout our day.

“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth) finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.” (Ephesians 5:8-10 NKJV)

    When we live in the Spirit and walk in the Spirit (allowing God’s word to transform us, Romans 12:2, James 1:21-25, 1 John 2:15-17), and when we work continually to identify and remove the debris of selfishness/selfish ambitions/lusts (Hebrews 5:14), then our hearts will be a good soil (Matthew 13:23) in which the Spirit can develop and bear His fruit.

“…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23 NKJV)  

• Love: 1 John 3:16-23; 4:7-5:5, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13
• Joy: Philippians 4:4 (the whole letter to the Philippians is filled with joy), John 15:9-17
• Peace: Philippians 4:6-9, 1 Timothy 2:1-4, Romans 12:18
• Longsuffering: James 1:2-4, Colossians 1:9-11, 1 Peter 8-11
• Kindness: John 15:14, Romans 12:9-21, Philippians 2:1-4, 1 Corinthians 9:7-8, Ephesians 4:29-32
• Goodness: Psalm 16:2, Galatians 6:9-10, Ephesians 2:10
• Faithfulness: Matthew 24:12-13, Hebrews 10:35-39
• Gentleness: Philippians 4:5, Colossians 3:6, 1 Peter 3:1-4, James 1:21
• Self-Control: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Hebrews 13:4, James 1:19, 2 Peter 1:5-11

    Please reread Galatians 5:16-26. Are these fruit developing in your heart and visible/becoming visible in your life? Or are you allowing selfishness and selfish desires to impede the development of the Spirit’s fruit? We need to be clearing the soil of our hearts, allowing it to be nourished by the Light (John 1:1-14; 3:19-21, 2 Timothy 3:16-17) and the living water (John 4:14, Matthew 5:6) so that the Spirit can bear His fruit in our lives! Are you preparing your heart for His fruit? 

It is worth every effort and every sacrifice!

You can do it! So can I!! 

Flourishing in Fruit – Our Words Are Our Fruit (Part 2)

    Jesus tells us plainly in Matthew 7:15-20 that a tree is known by its fruit, and in Matthew 12:33-37 He explains that our words are our fruit. Our words are drawn from the storehouse we each curate: our hearts, so we need to be vigilant concerning what we allow into our hearts/minds (read and consider Philippians 4:8).

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat of its fruit.” (Proverbs 18:22 NKJV)

    I would like you to take a look at the fruit in the lists below – some are from good storehouses, well-curated and full of the treasures of wisdom, knowledge, and righteousness (Colossians 2:2-3, Ephesians 5:17, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Hebrews 12:3-11) while the others are from storehouses that are neither guarded by their keepers nor guided by God’s good and perfect will; they are in desperate need of a thorough cleaning and a careful restock – as you read through these lists please take an honest look the fruit you have borne recently – have your words come from a storehouse that is full of God’s light or from one where the light is dimmed by dust and decay?

“I will guard my ways, lest I sin with my tongue…” (Psalm 39:1a NKJV)

 Our Words Are Our Fruit:

• True words (Ephesians 4:25, Philippians 4:8)
• Edifying and gracious words (Ephesians 4:29, Proverbs 16:24)
• Words seasoned with salt (Colossians 3:10)
• Gentle words (Proverbs 15:1, Philippians 4:5, Titus 3:2)
• Patient words (Proverbs 15:18, Colossians 1:9-11, James 1:19-20)
• Fitly spoken words (Proverbs 25:11)
• Wise words (Proverbs 4:1-27; 18:4, James 1:5; 3:13-17)
• Words that teach good things (Titus 2:3-5)
• Discreet words (Titus 2:3-5, 1 Peter 4:8)
• Humble words (Micah 6:8, Philippians 2:1-11, James 4:7-10
• Words that proclaiming God’s praises (1 Peter 2:9, Psalm 63:3-5, 104:33)
• Words that magnifying God and declaring His greatness (Psalm 34:1-3, Romans 15:4-6, Jude 25)
• Words of thanks and gratitude (2 Corinthians 9:15, Ephesians 1:3-14, 5:20, Colossians 3:17, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
• Words of warning (1 Thessalonians 5:14, James 5:19-20)
• Praying words (Matthew 5:44, Ephesians 6:18-19, James 5:13-18, 1 Peter 4:7)
• Singing words (James 5:13, Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:16)
• Words of comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3-4, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 2 Thessalonians 2:15-17, Romans 15:4-6)
• Words spoken in the name of Lord Jesus (Colossians 3:17)
• Merciful words (Matthew 5:44, Luke 23:34, Acts 7:60, Ephesians 4:32, 6:14-15)
• Trusting words (Proverbs 3:5-6, Philippians 4:4-7, John 6:68)
• Trustworthy words (Proverbs 10:9, Matthew 5:37)

………..

• Grumbling and complaining words (Philippians 2:4, 1 Peter 4:9, Jude 16)
• Complaining words against government and authorities (Exodus 22:28, Titus 3:1-2, 1 Peter 2:17)
• Back-biting and deceitful words (Proverbs 25:23, Romans 1:28-32; 3:10-14)
• Words of gossip and slander (Proverbs 16:27-30, Ephesians 4:31, 1 Timothy 5:11-16)
• Great swelling words and flattering words (Psalm 12:1-4, Proverbs 20:19, 26:28, Romans 16:17-18, Jude 16)
• Cruel and reviling words (Psalm 64:3, Proverbs 15:1, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10)
• Lying (Proverbs 26:28, Colossians 3:9-10, Revelation 22:15)
• Idle words (Psalm 12:1-4, Matthew 12:36-37, 1 Timothy 5:11-16)
• Angry words and outbursts of wrath (Psalm 4:4-5, Ephesians 4:26; 31 Colossians 3:8)
• Cursing, swearing, and lewd words (Ephesians 4:17-24: 5:1-7, Colossians 3:8)
• Speaking God’s name flippantly and without thought (Exodus 20:7, Matthew 6:9)
• Sharing coarse and rude jokes (Ephesians 5:1-7)
• Proud words (Proverbs 6:16-19; 11:12, 16:5, Luke 14:11)
• Words of discord (Proverbs 6:12-19, James 4:1-2, Titus 3:9-11)  
• Envious words (Titus 3:3, James 3:14)

“He who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit. Let him turn from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers; but the face of the LORD is against those who do evil.” (1 Peter 3:10-12 and Psalm 34:12-16a NKJV)

    God’s peace is to rule in our hearts – our storehouses – (Colossians 3:15) and we are to love Him with our whole heart, our whole soul, and our whole mind (Matthew 22:37). Let’s take careful inventory of our storehouses and prayerfully replace the evil we may there with what is good (Romans 12:9, 21) so we can “continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name” (Hebrews 13:15)!

You can do it! So can I!!

Flourishing in Fruit: Our Words Are Our Fruit (Part 1)

    Over the past few weeks we have looked at how our conduct is our fruit:

• Fruit of repentance (Matthew 3:8) – making the changes that prove that we have turned our backs to ungodliness and worldly lusts (Titus 2:11-12, 2 Timothy 2:22) while clinging to what is good (Romans 12, John 14:6)
• Fruit of righteousness (Philippians 1:9-11, 2 Corinthians 9:9-11) – doing what is right in God’s sight, according to His commands and instructions (James 1:21-25, 1 John 3:7)
• Fruit of good works (Colossians 1:9-11) – doing good for others, generously sharing our blessings with them (Psalm 68:19, 2 Corinthians 9:7-8)

    Now, I would like you to consider another fruit we all produce: words, “the fruit of our lips” (Hebrews 13:15)

    We live in a world in which communication has become everything. While most communication devices were at one time tethered to a wall in our houses, technology has advanced to a point where we now carry these devices with us at all times – you may even be reading this post on your device. There was a time when we only had phone calls during the daylight hours, a time when we were content to wait for mailed letters to arrive, and a time when television stations shut off all programming after the 11 o’clock news, but now we have access to all sorts of communication on our devices twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, and when emails or texts are sent, instantaneous replies are now expected no matter the time of day or night.

    In Part 1 of this series I would like you to consider the fruit you bear online, because if you type it, it’s your fruit, and if you click ‘share,’ ‘like,’ or ‘love,’ you are endorsing it, and it becomes your fruit as well, as it is seen by others. Think about the things you look at and the things you post, like, and share, are they things that God would approve of? Are they befitting a Christian?

    Every person with access can now communicate to the world whatever is in their heart – and those words are not always good, yet they are still put on display and even promoted in the seemingly endless ‘fruit’ market of social media. What sort of fruit are you taking to this market? Are you trying your best to post (and share) things that will uplift others, and/or shine God’s light? Or are you using social media to share rude humour, complain, vent, or rant? We need to be mindful of the words we share!

“With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.” (James 3:9-10 NKJV)

    Christians are commanded to meditate on what is true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8), we are to purify ourselves (1 John 3:3) and keep ourselves pure (2 Timothy 2:19-21), and be holy in all our conduct (1 Peter 1:15-16) – this includes our time online. We need to be especially careful of what we allow into our minds and hearts as we scroll through posts and videos because what we allow to be communicated to us will, in turn, become what we communicate to others (consider 1 Corinthians 15:33, Psalm 1:1, Proverbs 26:22). Our words are our fruit and development of that fruit begins in our heart (Matthew 12:33-35) – we bear fruit as we communicate online.  

“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak. They will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” (Matthew 12:35-37 NKJV)

    What are you consuming in the world’s fruit market? Are you finding the fruit that is good and wholesome; fruit that will nourish your soul and give you a healthy storehouse from which you draw your words? Or are you grazing your way through the buffet of filthy fruit that will deteriorate your storehouse and cause you to form bad thoughts, words, and habits?

    Think on these things this week! Our words are important – God knows every single one of them – so, from this very day, determine to be even more mindful to use your time wisely (Ephesians 5:15-17) and be watchful of the words you ‘bear’ online!

You can do it! So can I!! 

Flourishing in Fruit: Our Conduct is Our Fruit (Part 3)

Fruit of Generosity and Good Works

    So far in our ‘Flourishing in Fruit’ series, we have learned that God expects us to develop fruit (John 15:8, Matthew 12:33); He has provided all the knowledge, sustenance, and nourishment we need to do just that (read and think on Isaiah 5:1-4). We have learned that we need to be aware of what buds (or springs up) in our hearts/minds, being careful to identify and pluck out the bad thoughts so that they do not develop to fruit (words/action, Matthew 12: 34-35). From this we came to understand that our conduct is our fruit, it is the end result of our thoughts and intentions: our repentance of past sins will become obvious to others as we make changes and remove bad habits from our daily routines (Matthew 3:8, 2 Corinthians 7:9-11) and in the process of aligning ourselves with God and the Truth our righteousness will become evident to others (Philippians 1:9-11, and consider 1 Timothy 4:15, 3 John 3, 12).

    Now, let’s look at one more way our conduct is our fruit: good works. Paul referred to the generosity of the brethren as their “fruit” in both Romans 15:27-28 and Philippians 4:15-17. Doing good works are beneficial (Titus 3:8) and oftentimes visible to others, they are the end result of our heart’s intent and they are our fruit.

    Side note: We don’t do good just to be seen by others (Matthew 6:1-4), but to show others the goodness of God and give Him the glory (Matthew 5:16).

“And God is able to make every grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:8 NKJV)

    God blesses us abundantly (Psalm 68:19) so that we can generously give to others. It is always our hope that those who receive these good things will give glory to God and be thankful to Him for it (Matthew 5:16). Read and consider Matthew 25:34-46 and Romans 12:3-8. We all have differing abilities, but God gives us all ability to use them to do good: sometimes it may be the giving on our time (2 Corinthians 12:15a), giving the work of our hands (Dorcas, Acts 9:36-43, Proverbs 31:20), sharing of our goods (the brethren, Acts 4:32-37), or simply sharing God’s comfort to others in their troubles (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). When there is a need, think on what you can do to alleviate it.  

"And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful." (Titus 3:14 NKJV)

    Paul prays about this fruit as well, in Colossians 1:9-11, expressing his hope for its development and his desire that the brethren in Colossae may flourish in good things:

• That they may be filled with the knowledge of God’s will, in all wisdom and spiritual understanding (knowing the true value of God’s will and wisdom, v9)
• That they may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him (practicing righteousness, v10)
• Being fruitful in every good work (v10)
• Increasing in the knowledge of God (v10)
• Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy (v11)

    What you do is your fruit. What are you doing?  

    Are you looking out only for yourself or do you love your neighbour as yourself; gladly sharing with them what God has blessed you with? Do you look for opportunities to do good (Galatians 6:9-10, 2 Thessalonians 3:13)? God does His part, are you doing your part? Do you bear the fruit of generosity and good works?

You can do it! So can I!! 

Flourishing in Fruit: Our Conduct is Our Fruit (Part 2)

The Fruit of Righteousness   

    In our last lesson we learned about the fruit of repentance and how Paul’s rebuke (see 1 Corinthians 5) led the Corinthian brethren to bear that fruit (2 Corinthians 7:8-12). I believe we can also conclude that the Corinthians went on to bear the fruit of righteousness, because Hebrews 12:11 teaches us that God’s chastening yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness by those who are trained by it. When we are corrected by God (through His word, Hebrews 4:12, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Romans 1:16-17) and allow ourselves to be molded and trained by what He says – repenting by removing the bad and implementing the good (just as the Corinthians brethren did) – then we, too, can go on to develop the fruit of righteousness!

    In Philippians 1:9-11 we read Paul’s prayer for the brethren in Philippi:

• that their love might abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment (v9)
• that they might approve the things that are excellent (v10)
• that they may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ (v10)
• be filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, to the praise and glory of God (v11)

    Righteousness is doing what is approved by God. For example: walking in love (Ephesians 5:1-7, 1 John 4:7-11), walking in the light (John 3:16-21, Ephesians 5:8-14), and walking in wisdom (Ephesians 5:15-21). It is the daily, ongoing determination to obey God’s commands and instructions (1 John 3:7), not our own notions of what we think is “right’ or ‘good’ (consider 1 Corinthians 10:2-3). Read and think on 1 John 2:3-6; if we walk just as Jesus walked and follow His steps (1 Peter 2:20-24) we can be sure of the path - and God will be glorified!

“He who follows righteousness and mercy finds life, righteousness, and honour.” (Proverbs 21:21 NKJV)

    Another needed part for the production of this fruit is found in James 3:18; there James tells us that the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace (James 3:18). He states this truth immediately after talking of the untamable tongue and the need for wisdom that comes from above (Hebrews 3:1-17); a wisdom that teaches us good conduct (good fruit production) by purifying our hearts/minds of cursing, bitter envy, and self-seeking.

    God’s wisdom enables us to live in peace (and contentment, Philippians 4:4-13), because when we walk uprightly (Psalm 37:37), we can be at peace with God (1 John 1:9, Acts 8:21-24) and with man (Matthew 5:22-26, 44-48, Ephesians 4:26-27). We are to pursue peace with all people (Hebrews 12:14, Romans 12:18, 1 Timothy 2:1-4), without it we cannot hope to see God. If we want to be aligned with God, we must ask Him for wisdom (James 1:5) and use that wisdom to develop the fruit of righteousness (Ephesians 5:17)!

    What you do is your fruit. What are you doing?  

    Do you recall God to your mind each morning, ask Him for wisdom, and determine to walk with careful consideration of His commands and instructions throughout your day? Do you do your very best to learn what is right in God's sight by reading and studying His word and by putting it into practice; making it an ongoing effort throughout your lifetime so you can abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment (Hebrews 5:14)? Do you train yourself to recall God's instructions to your mind and follow them so that you can walk in sincerity and without offence and live in peace with Him and with mankind? These choices will encourage the fruit of righteousness to develop and flourish in our lives!

You can do it! So can I!!

 

Flourishing in Fruit: Our Conduct is Our Fruit (Part 1)

    While our hearts and minds are where the buds originate, and where they can be allowed to blossom, it is the next step of development that makes our fruit obvious to others: our conduct; the end result of our thoughts and intentions is the fruit we produce.

Fruit Worthy of Repentance  

    John the Baptist (Matthew 3:1) prepared the way for Jesus’ ministry, telling people, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2). He told the Pharisees and Sadducees that they needed to prepare themselves and “bear fruit worthy of repentance” (Matthew 3:8, Luke 3:8).

    Repentance is acknowledging your sin and being abhorred by it, not wanting to return to it, and it embraces a new daily determination to follow a better course and to make better choices. Think about the second half of Romans 12:9 as an easy to remember definition of repentance: “Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.”

    True repentance isn’t just saying ‘sorry’ for sinning and then going on with life without a new direction, determination, or purpose – consider Matthew 12:43-45 – the old ways (that led us into sin) must be removed and replaced with new ways – God’s ways! Please read and meditate on Ephesians 2:1-10 and Titus 3:8, 14.

    In 2 Corinthians 7:8-11, Paul rejoiced that the brethren in Corinth heard his rebuke (against their sin), were made sorry by it, and that their sorrow led to repentance. They were made sorry in a “godly manner.” Consider what he says to them:

“For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted, but the sorrow of the world produces death. For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produces in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication! In all things you proved yourselves to be clear in this matter.” (2 Corinthians 7:10-11 NKJV)

    The Corinthians did not regret giving up the sin that separated them from God, they sorrowed for having committed it, and because they wanted to be free from it they became diligent to clear themselves of it (turned wholly from it, with absolute determination never to return to it, Romans 13:14); they were angry with themselves for committing this sin against God, and their proper fear of Him increased and motivated them to quickly make it right. They proved themselves to be repentant by their vehement desire and zeal to do what was needed and right in God’s sight (consider 2 Peter 3:9) – they truly bore the fruit of repentance!

    What you do is your fruit. What are you doing?  

    If you have sinned, upon realizing your sin, do you immediately begin to produce the fruit of repentance by following the example given of the Corinthians’ godly sorrow? Do you think on your wholesome fear of God, turn from your sin and the path that led you there, ask God for forgiveness, and give renewed focus and effort to getting back to following Jesus’ footsteps? Are you showing God, and others, that you are willing to make changes and sacrifices for good? Do you bear the fruit of repentance?

You can do it! So can I!!

Flourishing In Fruit – We Must First Be Mindful of the Bud

    This post began as what would have been a small side note in this series, but the more I thought about it, the more I felt that this matter is worth our whole attention. It is vital that we develop honest and reliable eyes that will carefully examine the buds that develop through our habits (as we work to replace the bad ones with good, Colossians 3:1-17, Ephesians 4:21-24) and those buds that can crop up unexpectedly.  

    Jesus gave instruction throughout his teaching to be watchful of our hearts – hatred and murder begin there with angry thoughts and lack of mercy (Matthew 5:21-26, 44-48), and adultery begins there with lustful thoughts and lack of self-control (Matthew 5:28, Ephesians 5:2-7, Romans 13:14). God through the apostle Paul gave warning to the Ephesians, and to us, to resolve anger within the day of its very budding so that you do give not place (foothold) to the devil (Ephesians 4:26-27, and consider Genesis 4:7, and we are to help others in this matter, Hebrews 3:12-13).

“Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of evil. Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn away from it and pass on.” (Proverbs 4:14-15 NKJV)

    We need to be always watchful and nip bad/wrong thoughts in the bud to keep them from blossoming because if we don’t, all too quickly an opportunity will present itself and if we have allowed corrupt thoughts to flourish, our energies will be used to produce the outcome we are nurturing and that fruit is sin (James 1:14-15 and consider Romans 6:15-21).

Irritated with your husband? Nip that bud by praying to God about it; give it all to Him, and ask Him for wisdom (James 1:5). Then talk to your husband with love and respect (Ephesians 5:33), and work on a resolution together; always remembering that you also have tendencies and habits that can irritate him!

Angry with a family member, friend, neighbour, coworker, ‘that stranger who cut you off,’ etc.? Nip that bud and take your troubles to God, ask Him for wisdom. Talk to your family member, friend, neighbour, or coworker, peacefully (consider Romans 12:17-18 and James 3:17-18). Whether it is someone you know, or a stranger, someone you talk with regularly or someone you are unable to talk with, always be sure to read and apply Jesus’ instruction in Matthew 5:44-48, His example in 1 Peter 2:20-24, and Paul’s instruction in Romans 12:19-21.   

Immoral thoughts toward a male friend, neighbour, coworker, celebrity, etc.? Nip that bud by praying to God about it and asking His forgiveness, ask His help to find better ways to spend your free time (read your Bible, visit the widows, the sick, etc.). Don’t think that just because it’s budding privately* in your mind that it is okay to keep it – the fruit it can develop is deadly and will decay, if not destroy, more than you can imagine. *You may think your thoughts are hidden but God is aware of your thoughts (consider Genesis 6:5, 1 Chronicles 28:9, and 1 Corinthians 3:18-20) and He wants you to acknowledge them so you can remove what is certain to become bad fruit while it is in its beginning stages of development.

• If you are married, recall to your mind Matthew 5:28 (it applies to women looking at men, too!). Don’t let that bud develop into the blossom of flirtation (if it is a celebrity, don’t feed your fantasy with more movies/shows), think on the fact that you are a Christian, a child of God (Ephesians 5:1-7)! Recall your wedding vows (your promise before God) to your husband and consider Proverbs 31:10-11 – let the heart of your husband safely trust you to be faithful with your whole heart and with your whole mind! Read and consider Hebrews 13:4-5.
• If you are unmarried, recall to your mind Matthew 5:28 (it applies to women looking at men, too!). You are doing yourself no favours by nurturing the improper thoughts that can bud in your mind. Take heed of the advice, given three times, by the Shulamite in the Song of Solomon: “Do not stir up nor awaken love until it pleases.” (2:7, 3:5, and 8:4) – Until a man is rightfully yours (in marriage), do not allow improper thoughts to blossom because they can all too easily become actions! Read and consider 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Hebrews 12:14-17, and Hebrews 13:4-5.

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24 NKJV)

    Just as the farmer is watchful of bud formation knowing it leads to fruit, we also need to be very attentive to what 'buds' in our hearts/minds and determine whether that bud ought to be nipped immediately or nurtured to blossom and develop fruit. We need to be using God’s word (hearing it and doing it, James 1:21-27) so that our senses are exercised to discern both good and evil (Hebrews 5:13-14).

    From wherever you are right now, begin to examine the buds developed (and developing) in your mind; nip the bad ones to allow room for the good ones to flourish! The health of your soul is worth the daily, if not the moment to moment, efforts needed to keep yourself pure (1 John 3:3) and holy (1 Peter 1:15-16) so you flourish even more in 2024 in good fruit!!

You can do it! So can I!! 

Flourishing Even More in 2024… in Fruit

    Here in Southern Ontario hundreds of trees in the fruit orchards are flourishing in blossom. The local farmers know that each blossom signifies the potential for fruit, but not every blossom will develop into good fruit. They are always watchful of incoming threats because our changeable weather can bring frost and hail storms or swing from summer heat back to late winter chill in a matter of hours and damage the blossom; lowering, if not altogether removing, its ability to become good fruit.

    We can get stuck in our blossoming stage where we like the idea of good and of doing good but the effort needed to see it through is lacking. We can plan to go to church services/studies or to grow in our faith; we can have nice ideas and talk about them with others, but do our good intentions ever come to fruition? Do we really listen and let God’s word penetrate our heart and let it change us for the better or do we let the world and its ways envelop us like a heavy frost, chilling our zeal and wilting our potential, as soon as we leave the assembly? Do we act on our nice ideas to help another or do we let busyness like a gusty wind pull that blossom from our tree?   

    The devil happily provides distractions so that our blossoms don’t become good fruit. He will tempt us to drop our guard and encourage us toward selfish pride so that we fill our day with things that do not benefit. He wants nothing more than for our fruit to be blighted and wormy; he wants us to be a part of his diseased orchard where he’ll leave us to become further infested and rot.

“Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” (Matthew 7:19 NKJV)

    God wants us to produce good fruit. We, as Christians and members of the kingdom of God, are to be bearing the good fruit of God’s kingdom (consider Matthew 21:43). Jesus said that a tree is known by its fruits (Matthew 12:33), and we have within us (as humans with free will) the potential to bear either the fruit of sin (which leads to death) or the fruit to holiness (which leads to everlasting life, Romans 6:21-23); we can choose to be either a tree lost in the darkness of the devil’s decaying orchard or we can be planted and flourishing in the courts of our God (Psalm 92:13-14).

“You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.” (Matthew 7:16-17 NKJV)

    We all are blossoming with potential for good! We need to be determined that we go on to flourish this year in abundance of good fruit. We must remain on guard and be watchful (1 Peter 5:8, Ephesians 6:10-18), and keep ourselves firmly rooted and nourished through study and application of God’s word (Matthew 5:6, 2 Timothy 3:16-17). We must prune out the bad (thoughts, words, habits) and graft in the good (thoughts, words, habits, Proverbs 23:7a, Ephesians 4:29-31, 2 Timothy 2:22, Galatians 6:10) so that the fruit we produce is always good and beneficial!    

    Throughout the month of May, if the Lord wills, we will learn what good fruit is and why it is vital that we bear it.

Are you ready to Flourish Even More in 2024 in Fruit? Me, too!

You can do it! So can I!!

Flourishing in Holiness – Every Part Must Do Its Share

    As we conclude our study on ‘Flourishing in Holiness’ I would like you to consider a few more verses that speak of holiness. As you read these verses I would like you to keep in mind Ephesians 4:14-16:

 

“…that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but speaking the truth in love , may grow up in all things into Him who is the head – Christ – from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.” (NKJV)  

 

    Each of us need to be flourishing in holiness. If each one does their part, then we can better help each other grow stronger and we can better help establish new Christians in the faith.

 

“”Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.” “I will be a Father to you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the LORD Almighty.” Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” (2 Corinthians 6:17- 7:1 NKJV)

 

    It is worth our every effort to keep our hearts and minds focused on wholly trusting and properly reverencing God (Hebrews 12:28-29) so that we use our time wisely (Ephesians 5:15-17) and remove what is filth and put on only what is holy. Are you actively identifying and removing filth in your heart and mind and replacing it with holiness?  

 

“Do not let your adornment be merely outward – arranging of the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel – rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. For in this manner, in former times, holy women who trusted in God, also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands…” (1 Peter 3:3-5 NKJV)

 

    As women pursuing holiness, our focus is on God and joying in His wisdom, proving to the world God’s good and acceptable and perfect will (Romans 12:1-2). We develop gentle and quiet spirits, we respect our husbands and do not belittle them; we submit to them as the leader and head of the home. Are you putting worldly purchases on display or are you displaying God’s word?  If you are married, are you respecting your husband and submitting to him as head?

 

“God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit.” (1 Thessalonians 4:7-8 NKJV)

 

    God loved us so much that He sent His Son to live (giving us an example in how we should walk, 1 Peter 2:20-24, 1 John 2:3-6) and to die for us, to free us from the bondage on sin – how can we choose to continue in uncleanness when such a price was paid for our redemption? Are you being an example of uncleanness or holiness?

 

“Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness.” (Hebrews 12:9-10 NKJV, see also Hebrews 3:1)

 

    God wants us to succeed. He has provided all that we need to do just that! He wants us to be corrected and understand the folly of bad habits and our dalliances with sin. God wants us to be partakers of His holiness – are we letting Him correct us?  

 

“Greet one another with a holy kiss” (Romans 16:16, 1 Corinthians 16:20, 2 Corinthians 13:12, 1 Thessalonians 5:26)

 

    God gave us one another and we are to greet one another in sincerity of heart and purity of mind. We should always be looking out for each other’s best interests – helping each other stay the course and draw closer to God (James 4:7-8). Are you doing your part? Are you paying attention to your brethren so that you can be guide them back if you see they are ‘growing cold’ (Matthew 24:12-13, Galatians 6:1-2), are you listening and observing so you can comfort them in their troubles (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)? Are you making an effort to love your brethren with a pure and sincere heart so that you can benefit them in their walk?

 

“If anyone defile the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are… …having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 3:17 and Ephesians 2:20-22 NKJV)

 

    We need to respect not only our own bodies, but the body of Christ, the church (Ephesians 1:22-23), and do all that is necessary to keep ourselves holy, and do our part for the whole (Ephesians 4:16) – are you doing your part?

 

“…just as he chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love…” (Ephesians 1:4 NKJV, see also 1 Peter 2:9)

 

    God knew that there would be people who would seek Him and He provided His Son (and His sacrifice) to redeem them from the captivity of sin, so they could learn more of Him through His word, draw near to Him in obedience, and access Him through prayer for all that they needed by way of grace, mercy, comfort, and strength; so that they would be holy and without blame before Him in love. Are you seeking God as you should? Are you learning, drawing nearer, and accessing Him through prayer each day?

 

“And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.” (1 Thessalonians 3:12-13 NKJV)

 

    We don’t need to be fearful of Jesus’ return if we are putting daily effort into pursuing what is holy (1 John 2:28-29). Are you allowing God to make you increase and abound in love for your brethren and all others so that He can establish your heart blameless (without fault) in holiness?

 

    God calls us to be holy; He commands us to be holy. He has provided all we need! Are you using all that God has provided to pursue holiness so that you can flourish in it? Are you becoming more like the Lord and less like the world?  By your example, are you helping your brethren to pursue holiness or half-heartedness? Learn to love God enough to want to be a partaker of his holiness, respect Him enough to cleanse yourself from sin’s filth, and joy in His promises enough to stay the course in becoming holy!  Are you ready to do your part?

 

You can do it! So can I!! 

Flourishing in Holiness – God Commands It

    Last week we looked at Bible verses that tell us that God is holy and that He called us with a holy calling (through the gospel, 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14) to be holy. When we, who are now Christians, heard God’s call (through Bible reading/study), obeyed the gospel message, and were baptized for the remission of our sins (Mark 16:15-16), God forgave us of all our past offences, washed them away, and gave us a new beginning – if that is not reason enough to do all that is necessary to become holy and set apart from the world, then I would like you to consider the commands found within God’s word:

 

“I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:1-2 NKJV)

 

    Anyone digging in their heels about having to give up some unwholesome ‘guilty pleasure,’ you may be thinking, “That’s Paul’s plea; it’s not really a command;” please consider that Jesus’s very commission to Paul was “to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified (note: that means set apart) by faith in Me” (Acts 26:18). Paul’s words were from God (2 Peter 3:15-16, 2 Corinthians 1:12, 2:17), so that all who read them would know the Truth and have instruction in how to live properly before God.

 

“”Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.” “I will be a Father to you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the LORD Almighty.” Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” (2 Corinthians 6:17- 7:1 NKJV)

 

“…the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior (“have behavior becoming holiness,” KJV); not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things…” (Titus 2:3 NKJV)

 

    All of God’s commands and instructions, either direct or through inspired men (2 Peter 1:16-21), have always been for our good (Deuteronomy 6:24-25) so that we might be partakers of His holiness (see Hebrews 12:3-11). God tells us to no longer be slaves of sin – Jesus’ sacrifice freed us from that bondage – and just as God raised Jesus from the dead, He raised us from the deadness of sin (Ephesians 2:1-8) to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:3-4). We now walk in this new life as willing servants, as “slaves of righteousness” (Romans 6:15-18), and the benefits arising from righteousness are holiness (or sanctification) in this life, and in the end, everlasting life (Romans 6:22).

 

    Think on these verses today. Take the time today and each day through this week, if the Lord wills, to read and reread Romans 6. We are to be holy – be less like the world as we become more like the Lord – it is a command, and we are without excuse. It is for our good and God has provided all that is needed for us to overcome and succeed in this pursuit; it is now up to us to flourish in our servitude to righteousness so that we may be holy in all our conduct!

 

    Are you ready?

 

You can do it! So can I!!  

Flourishing in Holiness – Why is it Necessary?

“…as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct…” (1 Peter 1:15 NKJV)

    Why is holiness necessary? Because God who called us is holy; He is pure and set apart from sin and evil (it does not, cannot, dwell with Him, Psalm 5:5) making Him not only the source, but also the absolute standard for purity and holiness.

    God, who is holy, called us. How?  By the gospel (2 Thessalonians 2:13-14). You heard the gospel – the ‘good news’ of Jesus – you believed it (Romans 10:17), and you obeyed it (Mark 16:15-16, Acts 2:37-38, 8:30-39). God called to you through His word and you answered His call through faith and obedience to His commands.

    God called us with a holy calling (2 Timothy 1:8-9) – not because we were worthy – but because He is holy and He loved us (1 John 4:8-10), and loves us still! God does not want any to perish, He wants all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9); He wants all to be saved and come to the truth (1 Timothy 2:1-4).

“…as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:14-16 NKJV) 

    God called us in holiness to be holy, not unclean (1 Thessalonians 4:7, please read verses 1-8 also). God sent His only begotten Son to live and to die, a sacrificial Lamb, “that He might redeem us from every lawless deed” (Titus 2:11-14). How can we, who have heard and obeyed the gospel and have been baptized for the remission of our sins – released from the very bondage of sin that held us captive – turn back to sinful practices?     

“But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as truth is in Jesus; that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which is created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:20-24 NKJV) 

    We must regard God as holy (Leviticus 10:3) and understand that to be in His presence we too must be striving – doing all that is necessary – to be holy (Hebrews 12:14); we need to diligent in removing our old habits and determined to replace them with the new holy habits He has told us to busy ourselves with (ex: 2 Timothy 2:22, Ephesians 2:10, Colossians 3, Titus 3:8, 14, etc.).

    God is holy. He has called us with a holy calling to be holy, sacred, and set apart/different from the world (Romans 12:2) – His word provides us with all we need to know to flourish in holiness. Take time this week to read the book of Leviticus, taking note of the numerous times ‘holy’ is mentioned; let it open your eyes to the fact that we must be holy.

    Let us learn to reverence and hallow God properly so we can truly appreciate the clean slate, the “new man,” He has granted us, created in true righteousness and holiness (Ephesians 4:24) – He gave us a head start, now we need to finish the race (Hebrews 12:1-2)! 

    Are you running toward the goal?

You can do it! So can I!!