Being Fruitful
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Posted: May 14, 2022
Author: Coria Brock 1 John 2:5-6, New International Version “But if anyone keeps His word, the love of God has been truly perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him: Whoever claims to abide in Him must walk as Jesus walked.” |
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“To take Jesus’ yoke is to adopt His way and follow His example; it is a figure of speech for becoming His disciple. To take Jesus’ yoke involves becoming a hearer and doers.” (Hearers and Doers – A Pastor Guide to Making Disciples, Kevin J Vanhoozer, page 213)
If you happened to have read the articles I have written over the last couple of months, you may have noticed that I often included quotes from the same books. This has become a pattern in my writing, just like those movies I often mention again and again, simply because I have been inspired by them or they spoke to what I believe. One of the commands I have received from the word of God is this: Whoever has ears to hear, do what He said! (Matthew 7:24-27, John 15:10-11, James 1:22, James 2:2-5) Jesus has not asked us to simply hear His word, He requires that we do what He has commanded and be transformed like Him. This is the exact reason He asked the Father to send the Holy Spirit to us. It is through the Spirit of truth that we are given understanding, and that we can go through the process of metamorphosis (transformation from our old self to His new creation).
There are many living today who claim to be Christian, but sadly we cannot see the reflection of Jesus in them. We hear them speak of the greatness of God, and they show excitement in the work and the testimony about the Lord, but there is something missing. They are missing the deeds and the fruits of their life that Jesus emphasized:
“Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing…” (John 14:12a, NIV)
“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. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.” (John 15:5-8, NIV)
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19-20a, NIV)
Are you a hearer and a doer? Are you a disciple of Jesus? Is Jesus your Lord and Master? Do you abide in Him and follow His teaching? Do you make disciples for Him as He has commanded you to do? Do you bear the fruits of the Spirit? Can you say, “Show me your faith, and I will show you my faith by my deeds!”
