Monday, September 27, 2004

Are You Fruity?

Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. John 15:4 niv

Have you seen the commercial with the slogan, “What’s in your wallet?” That campaign has been so successful that the credit card has vaulted into one of the most recognized in America, with a 95 percent national awareness among consumers in some surveys.

Are you recognized as a Christian 95% of the time?

Sometimes I think of my Christian life as a basket. I’ve watched a basket weaver on one of the shopping channels. He takes long wooden slats and weaves them together for a beautiful wooden basket. The container of my life is woven together with faith and works. I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior by faith.

“…the word of faith we are proclaiming: That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Romans 10:8-9 niv

Jesus told the Pharisees and Sadducees to ‘produce fruit in keeping with repentance.” (Matthew 3:8 niv) I’m not saved by my works, but the fruit of the Spirit will be a natural result of my identification with Christ. Others cannot see your faith. They do see your works.

According to the apostle Paul, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Are these fruits present in your life? Do you carry these fruits as a result of faith and works woven together in your life?

Prayer: Lord, thank you for saving me. I pray my faith will be evident in my life. Help me to be a fruity Christian. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

4 comments:

  1. Just me again...you mean HE used YOUR idea & beat you to the punch?? He's getting the credit you deserve??

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  2. Thanks for the reminder that no branch bears fruit in isolation. It must have vital connection with the vine.
    Then it bears beautiful fruit that is desirable. Our fruit can wither and die or it can be used to point the way to the Living Vine, Jesus.
    Glenniah

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  3. Donna, i just found your site and I will be coming back to read more often. Keep up the good bloging!

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  4. I think what you are telling me is that, if I keep in mind that the Master Weaver has His hand on me, I won't be a basket case. Is that right? :)
    Ellen

    ReplyDelete

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