Being Fruitful
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Posted: June 18, 2022
Author: Coria Brock 1 John 4:19, New living Translation “We love each other because he loved us first.” |
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One thing I realized when I started to experience the truth, and it is a testament to the Word being true in my life, is that I do not have the capacity to simply love someone. I learned that I could not give what I did not have, and I did not have love because I did not have a connection with the source of it. Just like any electronic device, if it is not plugged into the electric outlet, or if the outlet is not connected with the power plant, it will not function.
Then after I connected with the source of love, I found out I had a fundamental misunderstanding of the meaning of it. The definition of love from the world is completely different than that of God’s. We are born to believe that the measurement of how much a person is loved is based on how much they receive. But if we are reborn in Christ we know that love is an act of giving. And, if I am being loved, I should have much to offer. How much I draw from the power plant, is how strong I can function in it.
I remember on one occasion I was serving on a mission trip in Kenya and there were a lot of children in one particular village. Even though I didn’t do anything special, they were still drawn to me more than any other members of the team. I knew who I was in the past, a person who never enjoyed being around children and even felt uncomfortable when I was with them. (That is another story of my life, I had a hard time understanding what it meant to be a child). Therefore, I wondered why they were drawn to me, as well as how I could even fall in love with them. Again, Jesus spoke, “They are drawn to you because of Me, and My love for them is flooding into your heart.” In this exact same way He had also enabled and empowered me with His unfailing love when I was on a mission trip to the Philippines years ago.
I love because Jesus is in me. He is my source of love. More precisely, He is Love, the only source of love. If there is any obstacle to stop anyone to love, it is only when they are unplugged from the source. “Remain in me, as I also 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) We cannot provide what we do not have, just a branch which has been cut off cannot produce fruit. “Love” is one of the fruits of the Spirit of God.
Connecting with the vine is a choice, just as plugging into the outlet is a choice. A choice to listen to our sinful nature and follow the world, or a choice to listen to the Word of God and follow our Lord Jesus. (Matthew 7:24-25, Romans 8:5, Galatians 6:8) God’s love is not earned and there is nothing we can do to gain it. It is our choice to receive and also our choice to dive into it. Once we choose to be in the love of God, our desires and our actions will follow suit and His love will flow naturally and speak loudly in our daily lives. Then, whoever sees you will see Christ in you.
