Today (Wednesday, the 8th) is day 59 of our Bible study. We only have a few short days left. I found an error in the journal for today, so I wanted to pop in. This way, none of us miss the key to developing what is called “good fruit” in our lives. While the journal gives a non-existent Scripture reference, our accompany Scripture is actually John 15:4-5.
Even so, every healthy (sound) tree bears good fruit [worthy of admiration], but the sickly (decaying, worthless) tree bears bad (worthless) fruit. A good (healthy) tree cannot bear bad (worthless) fruit, nor can a bad (diseased) tree bear excellent fruit [worthy of admiration]. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and cast into the fire. Therefore, you will fully know them by their fruits (Matthew 7:17-20; AMPC).
Dwell in Me, and I will dwell in you. [Live in Me, and I will live in you.] Just as no branch can bear fruit of itself without abiding in (being vitally united to) the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you abide in Me. I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing (John 15:4-5).
In Matthew 7:17-20, we are reminded that our lives will either produce “bad” or “good” fruit. Every place in our lives has the potential to reveal the real outpour of our faith. In our lives, our faith in Jesus is put on display as we live out our lives.
One example of good fruit and its possibilities is in how we treat others. If we want to treat others well, we will want “good” fruit that is worthy of admiration rather than “bad” fruit that is diseased and shows we are relying on our own efforts.
In today’s Scriptures, we are taught two important truths.
- Our lives will either produce good or bad fruit (see Galatians 5:22-23). There is no in-between. Will we be hot or cold in our remaining (by continuing to sit with and pursue) in Jesus? How so?
- Jesus Christ is the ultimate key to experiencing life at its best! He is the One who can open His storehouses, and give us what we seek and could ever need. How are we allowing Jesus to be our complete hope and Source of life?
As long as we stay connected to Jesus, staying in His beautiful presence, we will see good “fruit” in our lives. This is part of finding the new life Jesus promises to give us. If we will sit with Him, if we will sit in His presence, if we will resolve to keep going to Him in prayer, He will continue to work in our hearts and lives.
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is what makes the difference between living worthless lives and a new life that we can be proud of. It is about Jesus Christ. While our efforts may be a part of it, it is a small part. The more important thing, Mary discovered and we can too. The more important thing is Jesus Christ. The more important thing is to keep our focus on Jesus Christ and learning how to simply be with Him. This is the better thing.
Head over to Luke 10:38-42 to read Mary’s story!
Gracefully Overcoming 