Wisdom From Above is… Full of Mercy and Good Fruits

“But wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits…” (James 3:17 NKJV)

    Let’s take time to break down “good fruits”:

    Good (in James 3:17) comes from the Greek ‘agathos’ (Strong’s #18) which means goodness to the innermost (intrinsic and inherent); good in nature, it is good whether it is seen to be so or not. It is moral goodness, virtue, and the beneficial nature of actions, people, etc. In the New Testament it often refers to the intrinsic goodness of God’s nature and His will.

    Fruits comes from the Greek ‘karpos’ (Strong’s #2590) which means the results and outcomes of actions. It is the evidence of one’s faith and character. It is the result of charity (beneficial, good conduct motivated by prayerful, good intent).

“…be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity… give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine… Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.” (1 Timothy 4:12-13, 15-16 NKJV)

    When we are full of mercy and good fruits our faith and service to God will be evident to all, even to those who hate us, curse us, persecute us, and spitefully use us, because we will not limit our love and care to only those who are loving and caring toward us. This wisdom is the very opposite of the world’s wisdom. Read and really think on Matthew 5:43-48.

“And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.” (Acts 7:59-60 NKJV)

    We can find ourselves surrounded by unkempt ‘fields’ – people who do not care to change nor improve (or do not know how to) because they reject God and His will – whether it is face to face or through media (TV, radio, movie, or social media) their weeds and rocks can infiltrate our hearts. So we must be watchful of our hearts and work continually to keep our “soil” tilled and tender, quickly clearing any rocks and weeds we find there (Luke 8:4-8, 11-15).  We need to also keep our hearts tender enough to look with mercy (pity and compassion) on those around us who need to know the better way; who need salvation!

    When we, in devotion to God, hear His word and humbly obey it; when we run to Him for help to pull out a strongly-rooted weed, we will be preparing our hearts to develop good fruits. If we keep trusting God, endure through temptations, and remain faithful to Him and His way, we will be preparing our hearts to be full of good fruits, and our progress will be evident to all.

    We want to abound in good fruit, don’t we? We are supposed to bear good fruit (John 15:16) – it is not for demonstration purposes (Matthew 6:1-7), but it will be seen by others (Matthew 5:14-16) as we progress and behave differently than the world around us. When we live according to God’s command and instruction found in the Bible (live and walk in the Spirit) the Spirit will bear His fruit (our faithfulness to God’s instruction will become obvious in all our conduct), and it will be visible to others in the love we give, the joy we hold to, the peace we live in (with God and man), the longsuffering we endure, the kindness we show, the goodness propelling us, the faithfulness anchoring us, the gentleness in our word and action, and the self-control that keeps us from serving ourselves (Galatians 5:16-26). God is glorified when we bear much fruit – when we develop as we should (John 15:1-8, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 3:18) – bearing good fruit proves us to be disciples of Jesus (John 15:8) and it proves that we are growing in the wisdom that is from above!

    We will have endless opportunities to conduct ourselves in wise and godly ways: answering the phone and finding it’s another telemarketer, long wait times (in-person or in our vehicle), gossip/disparaging comments in the break room at work, when your neighbour does not behave in a nice way, when someone is thoughtless or rude to us, when we speak to other women (or younger women, Titus 2:3-5), when we are asked for advice by a weak-in-the-faith sister in Christ, etc. etc. etc.  We need to remember to exhibit wisdom that is from above, wisdom that is full of mercy and good fruits!     

    Let’s work at tenderizing the hard spots, pulling the weeds, and extracting the stones from our own hearts with daily determination and prayer so we can flourish for God and prove His will to be good and acceptable and perfect (Romans 12:1-2) to others around us!! Let’s think on God’s mercy and His goodness, so we can imitate Him as dear children (Ephesians 5:1), and grow toward flourishing in wisdom that is from above!

You can do it! So can I!!  

Flourishing in Fruit – A Summary

    Over the past several weeks we have looked at the Bible verses that tell us the importance of flourishing in fruit. 

God has provided all we need and expects us to bear good fruit (read and consider Isaiah 5:1-4)

    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).

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

We must be mindful of what buds in our hearts/minds 

    Just as the farmer is watchful of the bud formation knowing it leads to fruit, we also need to be very attentive to what buds in our hearts/minds and determine whether a 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).

    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 can flourish even more in good fruit!!

“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)

Our conduct is our fruit

• 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)
• 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)
• good works (Colossians 1:9-11) – doing good for others, generously sharing our blessings with them (Psalm 68:19, 2 Corinthians 9:7-8)

Our words are our fruit

    Jesus said that our words come from the storehouses of our hearts (Matthew 12:34-35). Those who love Him should always be working to have good storehouses that are well-curated (and carefully guarded), guided by God’s good and perfect will, 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) so that the words we draw from our hearts are good and beneficial (Ephesians 4:29, Colossians 4:6).

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

When we walk in the Spirit, the Spirit can bear His fruit in our lives (read and consider Galatians 5:16-26)

“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)  

When we flourish in bearing good fruit God will be glorified!

    Bearing good and proper fruit only happens when we abide in the True Vine and when His words abide in us (John 15:7). We need to hear God’s words (in His word, the Bible), take them into our heart, and purpose to do what He says (James 1:21-25). Hearing the word is the seed planted, thinking on it and allowing it to shape our thoughts and choices is the seed taking root, and then doing and saying what He has instructed through His word is bearing fruit. Consider the parable of the sower in Luke 8:4-8, 11-15. When we do this, God will be glorified!

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser… I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing… By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be my disciples.” (excerpt from John 15:1-8 NKJV)

    It will always be an excellent use of our time to read and study God’s word. Learning more about Him and His way is the best – and only – way to transform our hearts (Romans 12:1-2) so that they become storehouses of good things that we can share with others through our words and actions. When we purify our hearts (1 John 3:1-3) we clear the debris from the soil of our hearts and make it a good receptacle for the Spirit to bear His fruit. And we can flourish in good fruit that will bring glory to our wondrous Father in heaven!!

From wherever you are right now, determine that you will 

flourish even more in 2024 in bearing good fruit!!

You can do it! So can I!!

Flourishing in Fruit – That God May Be Glorified!

    I would like you to consider a few verses today as we near the end of our Flourishing in Fruit study. These verses tell us one of the important reasons why we must be developing and bearing fruit – so that God will be glorified!

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:15 NKJV)

    As we studied earlier, our conduct is our fruit – this includes good works (which we were created to do, Ephesians 2:10) – and so, when others see, it will cause them to look to God, praise Him, and thank Him!

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser… I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing… By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be my disciples.” (excerpt from John 15:1-8 NKJV)

    Bearing good and proper fruit only happens when we abide in the True Vine and when His words abide in us (John 15:7). We need to hear God’s words (in His word, the Bible), take them into our heart, and purpose to do what He says (James 1:21-25). Hearing the word is the seed planted, thinking on it and allowing it to shape our thoughts and choices is the seed taking root, and then doing and saying what He has instructed through His word is bearing fruit. Consider the parable of the sower in Luke 8:4-8, 11-15. When we do this, God will be glorified!

“And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” (Philippians 1:9-11 NKJV)

    We need to be practicing righteousness (1 John 3:7) – making a daily determination to know more of Jesus so we can walk as He walked (1 John 2:3-6). When we are filled with the fruits of righteousness God will be glorified!!

    What does glorifying God mean? It means that one is recognizing His wondrous value and awesome substance. They are valuing Him for who He really is, esteeming Him worthy of all praise.

    When we obey His commands – abide in His word, practice righteousness, do good works – we are declaring Him to be wise, we are proclaiming His word to be truth and worthy of attention and obedience. Read and consider Romans 12:1-2 – we prove to ourselves and the world that God’s will is good and acceptable and perfect when we let it transform us!  

    Are you bearing fruit that will glorify God?

You can do it! So can I!!

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!!