THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 3:7-9
“Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.” (Luke 3:8)
Here is the real test of our sincerity: does it produce any fruit?
God is not looking for mere words, He wants sincere action.
We’re no different, we want someone who says they’re sorry to show it too.
To say sorry, yet not change, reveals that we’re not really sorry.
How many religious people talk the talk, but do not walk the walk.
John may sound harsh here, but this kind of hollow religion really frustrates God.
Do I really hate my sin, or do I just want the comfort of forgiveness and future hope?
If my repentance is real, it will show in my behaviour.
“Do not begin to say…” I am baptized, raised in a religious home, I went to church, I’m a pastor!
None of this means anything, unless it shows itself in ‘good results’.
Baptism (or any other religious activity) is not a ‘get out of jail free’ card.
It is a sign of God’s good intention toward us, and our good intention toward Him.
It is a commitment on God’s part, and ours, to live the God life, the good life.
Yes we will fail, but God is not worried about that, so long as we aim in the right direction.
Better to try and fail, than fail to try.
If I am sincere in my hatred of sin, in my desire for God, I will try.
And He will help me, little by little, step by step, to improve the quality of my fruit.
“He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” (John 15:2)
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, You are definitely speaking to me today. I sense Your axe in my life, not to ruin me but to prune me.
Observations/Application
Once upon a time I was a ‘food inspector’ – inspecting the food my students ate. You are what you eat. Input equals output.
It is also true with our spiritual life. Our output depends also on our input. And our fruit will be the evidence of it all. I must produce good fruit and therefor provide the ‘tree of life’ with the proper nourishment. Remember the tree cut down since no fruit was on it? Remember the tree given another chance?
As the tree is to produce good fruit, I too need to produce good fruit, doing the will of the gardener.
The Fruit of the Spirit’s not a watermelon
(What ‘cha yellin?)
The Fruit of the Spirit’s not a watermelon
(What ‘cha yellin?)
If you want to be a watermelon
You might as well hear it.
You can’t be a Fruit of the Spirit.
‘Cause the Fruit is Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness,
Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control.
Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness,
Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control.
The Fruit of the Spirit’s not a kiwi
(Whee)
The Fruit of the Spirit’s not a kiwi
(Whee)
If you want to be a Kiwi
You might as well hear it.
You can’t be a Fruit of the Spirit.
‘Cause the Fruit is Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness,
Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control.
Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness,
Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control.
The Fruit of the Spirit’s not a banana
(Nana)
The Fruit of the Spirit’s not a banana
(Nana)
If you want to be a banana
You might as well hear it.
You can’t be a Fruit of the Spirit
‘Cause the Fruit is Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness,
Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control.
Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness,
Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control.
The Fruit of the Spirit’s not a cantaloupe.
(Nope!)
The Fruit of the Spirit’s not a cantaloupe.
(Nope!)
If you want to be a cantaloupe
You might as well hear it.
You can’t be a Fruit of the Spirit!
‘Cause the Fruit is Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness,
Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control.
Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness,
Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control.