"May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation-
the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ-
for this will bring much glory and praise to God."
Philippians 1:11
Orange trees produce oranges.
Apple trees produce apples.
And my salvation through Jesus Christ produces its own fruit.
The fruit of a changed life.
A righteous life.
Notice I didn't say a perfect life.
My neighbors always have something growing in their yard. When I go for a walk and notice the fruit growing, changing colors, getting ready to be eaten, I think of the verse John 15:5. . .
"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."
I have always wanted a righteous character. I've wished for it. I've prayed for it. I've worked hard for it. But I never found it.
The one thing I never understood. . . the one thing I never did. . . was to trust Jesus enough to abide in Him.
The Greek word for abide is meno.
Other verbs to describe the word meno are continuing, dwelling, enduring, owning, presenting, remaining, standing and tarrying.
Abiding means to do all these in Jesus.
I think about the fruit growing on my neighbor's trees.
If it stays on the tree, if it endures, if the fruit dwells, if it abides. . . it will develop into exactly what it was meant to be.
Something good. A fruit that gives nourishment and life.
My neighbors aren't farmers. Their little fruit trees aren't in a big, fancy orchard. I'm not sure that the sandy soil around here is the best soil for growing fruit.
But their trees produce fruit.
And if I abide in Jesus, regardless of my situation and circumstances, I will produce fruit.
Good fruit.
Righteous fruit.
I will be what God created me to be.
I love this quote by Charles Spurgeon that was in my devotion this morning.
Philippians 1:11
Orange trees produce oranges.
Apple trees produce apples.
And my salvation through Jesus Christ produces its own fruit.
The fruit of a changed life.
A righteous life.
Notice I didn't say a perfect life.
My neighbors always have something growing in their yard. When I go for a walk and notice the fruit growing, changing colors, getting ready to be eaten, I think of the verse John 15:5. . .
"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."
I have always wanted a righteous character. I've wished for it. I've prayed for it. I've worked hard for it. But I never found it.
The one thing I never understood. . . the one thing I never did. . . was to trust Jesus enough to abide in Him.
The Greek word for abide is meno.
Other verbs to describe the word meno are continuing, dwelling, enduring, owning, presenting, remaining, standing and tarrying.
Abiding means to do all these in Jesus.
I think about the fruit growing on my neighbor's trees.
If it stays on the tree, if it endures, if the fruit dwells, if it abides. . . it will develop into exactly what it was meant to be.
Something good. A fruit that gives nourishment and life.
My neighbors aren't farmers. Their little fruit trees aren't in a big, fancy orchard. I'm not sure that the sandy soil around here is the best soil for growing fruit.
But their trees produce fruit.
And if I abide in Jesus, regardless of my situation and circumstances, I will produce fruit.
Good fruit.
Righteous fruit.
I will be what God created me to be.
I love this quote by Charles Spurgeon that was in my devotion this morning.
"Human nature's thorns never produce a single fig.
"That which is born of flesh is flesh."
I can rejoice because that which is born of His spirit is spirit. And, it is always good fruit.
This is my favorite one so far. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with me. I have been so blessed by them all. I love you. God has brought you to me, to encourage me, to help me understand. Thanks for being His servant.
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