Dear Friends,
In Lifebyte 47, Marriage As A Covenant Lifestyle, we wrote that many of you are hindered through the teaching techniques that are prevalent in both Christendom and public education today. These techniques have created hearers rather than doers of the Word; people whose lives could be bearing fruit for our Father but instead are barren. To put it simply, your faith is fruitless.
“Produce fruit in keeping with repentance”
It’s grievous that so many have been trained to be complacent in their spiritual life. Do you understand how dangerous this is? Jesus promises plainly,
I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in Me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned (John 15:5,6).
It is vital that you grasp the clear meaning of Jesus’ words. Bearing fruit for Him is the crucial sign that you truly belong to Him
— that you’re connected to the Vine. Our Lord relates multiple warnings that we not squander our lives. (See Matthew 25:24-31; Luke 6:46-49; 13:6-9.) Is there any doubt that His followers are commanded to do something with the truths and resources our Lord has given us? The worst thing you can do is to disobey Him and do nothing.
“Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire”
(Matthew 7:19).
At no point does the Bible declare “once saved, always saved.” That’s a lie of the devil to entice you into fruitless living. You have a pilgrimage to pursue to the end to obtain your heavenly welcome. Yes, the penalty for your sins has been paid for by Jesus. But, your responsibility is to live your life bearing fruit for the King. This is NOT optional!
Fruit-bearing Pollination in the Spirit
In the diagram below we describe the Hebraic method of fruitful discipleship. The implications of this diagram hold eternal consequences for you.
- Can you claim to belong to Jesus and not do what He commands? Yes or No?
- Would Jesus commend you both for how your life reflects Him and for what you’re doing to help others bring Him glory? Yes or No?
- Do you believe there are painful consequences if you’re disobedient to your Lord and King?
