BEARING FRUIT
BEARING FRUIT
Before reading this, I strongly encourage you get a bible at your elbow and read every passage I refer to in this article. Preferably a NIV bible or anything but a KJV. With you taking the time to look up those verses, it will go a long way to help you remember the truth of them in the future and confirm to you that I am not making up something or offering you just my opinions.
The bible uses this analogy for the correct lifestyle and attitudes for a child of God. Jesus spoke about this in John chapter fifteen where he speaks of Him being the vine and we the branches. It’s obvious to us all that the branches are where the fruit grows, and if they are not connected firmly to the vine, there will be no fruit, and in fact, the branches would die and would have to be cut off and burned.
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.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. Jn. 15:4-6
This is one of many passages of scripture that displays the absolute necessity of us being ‘in Christ.’ This is also one of the reasons Jesus was able to say that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and nobody comes to the Father except through Him. There are other verses that today’s pew-warmers and pulpit-bashers love to quote that say something similar. And Satan has duped them all into believing that the gift of eternal life is only and all about Jesus Christ. They tell us all we need to do is, ‘believe in,’ or ‘trust,’ or ‘have faith in,’ or ‘accept,’ or ‘come to,’ or claim that ‘He is your Lord & Savior,’ to become Christians. Therefore, a sinner can become a child of God in a moment of time that spreads no further than the time it takes to utter a few words. From that time on he/she is expected to obey all sorts of rules the churches have devised to keep you ‘in the fold.’ Attend services, have a daily ‘devotional,’ pray about everything, get involved at your church, and try hard not to sin too much. And of course, the extremely important matter of asking Jesus to forgive your sins each night before you go to sleep. Of course, that would be a ‘generic utterance’ that would cover every sin you had committed. When I used to do that, it always bothered me that I could never remember how many or what sort of sins I had committed each day. So, it was an incredibly vague, spurious thing to do. It is absolutely clear to anyone who has studied scripture, that every sin is totally intolerable to God. Which means, that if one who believes they are His child sins, he/she would immediately be grieved, and ask for forgiveness. He wouldn’t wait for hours and group lots of sins into some spurious plea for forgiveness. That was something I always struggled with when I lived like today’s ‘Christians’ live.
When Jesus told us: ‘if we sin,’ we are slaves to sin and cannot remain in His family,’ He was speaking of just one sin, not a dayfull of various sins. When Paul told the Galatian brethren that if someone was caught in a sin, those who were spiritual [obviously those that did not sin] should gently restore that one, Gal. 6:1 it was clear that sin was clearly not a common issue for Christians at that time. Paul wrote the following to the Church at Corinth. “Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?” 2 Cor. 11:29. He told that same church, “come back to your senses, and stop sinning, for there are some who are ignorant of God---I say this to your shame.” 1 Cor. 15:34 Clearly some outsiders had snuck into the fellowship in Corinth. Paul clearly believed that knowledge of God is necessary for repentance, to stop sinning. Imagine what someone like Paul would experience if he lived in today’s ‘spiritual environment!’ I don’t have to imagine that. I have lived it daily, ever since I got to know God well enough to fear Him, so I could repent Ex. 20:20, Prov. 14:26-27, 16:6, to receive the Holy Spirit for the forgiveness of my sins, Acts 2:38 and start living in Christ. Jn 15:5
Please remember that before God’s kids were called Christians, they were referred to as those who lived in Christ. John confirmed his teaching about the need to remain in the vine/Christ, in his first letter.
Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness. But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And IN HIM IS NO SIN. NO ONE WHO LIVES IN HIM SINS. No one who sins has either seen him or known him. 1 Jn. 3:4-6
How millions of people claiming to be God’s kids can unashamedly confess to being sinners today, is unfathomable to anyone who believes God’s word. If one is not in Christ, he/she faces the burn pile/hell. Jn 15:6
Today’s ‘gospel’ focuses entirely on Jesus, and what He did on the cross. As much as the New Testament letters refer to His atonement for sins, Rom 3:25, 1 Jn. 2:2, 4:10 and His blood washing us clean etc, none of that is of any benefit to any sinner who does not repent. Jesus taught that we have only two options in our lifetime: ‘repent, or perish.’ Lk. 13:3, 5. PLEASE do not allow false teaches to tell you that repent means confessing your sins, and asking Jesus/God to forgive them. Ezek 33:11-20 will give you a good picture of true repentance. Take a look at how the saints of old repented, and ask yourself if you had gone through that dramatic and emotionally draining event, would you ever sin again.
God’s chosen people, under the Old Covenant, had to go through incredibly serious and meaningful rituals in order to be forgiven for unintentional sins.
The burnt offering is described in detail in the book of Leviticus, which outlines the sacrificial system of ancient Israel. Burnt offerings were a type of ritual sacrifice offered to God, usually as a form of repentance, gratitude, or devotion. It was one of several types of offerings mentioned in Leviticus, which also included sin offerings, peace offerings, and grain offerings.
The burnt offering was unique in that it required the entire animal to be consumed by fire on the altar, symbolizing complete surrender and dedication to God. Only certain animals could be used for burnt offerings, including bulls, sheep, goats, turtledoves, and pigeons. The animal had to be without blemish, representing the pure and spotless nature of the offering
The burnt offering was an integral part of the Leviticus sacrificial system, which was designed to restore the relationship between God and his people. The system recognized that sin had created a separation between God and humanity, and that sacrifice, by shedding the blood of the animal or bird, was necessary to reconcile the two.
Leviticus outlines a complex system of offerings and rituals that were performed by the priests on behalf of the people. The system recognized that not all sins were equal and required different types of offerings and rituals to restore the relationship with God. Burnt offerings were used for general atonement and dedication, while sin offerings were used for specific sins, such as unintentional violations of the law
The symbolism of the burnt offering was deeply tied to the elements used in the sacrifice. For example, the animals offered had to be male, free from blemish, and could be from a variety of species, including cattle, sheep, and goats. The burning of the entire animal signified the worshiper’s complete surrender of the offering to God, representing the worshiper’s desire to give everything to God.
The way in which the burnt offering was offered was also highly ritualistic. The worshiper had to bring the animal to the altar, lay their hands on the animal’s head and confess their sins. This act symbolized the transfer of guilt from the worshiper onto the animal, which would then be consumed by the fire. The burning of the offering signified the forgiveness of sin and the worshiper’s acceptance of God’s mercy.
Now we must remember what this sacrifice involved, when we think of Jesus on the cross on Calvary’s Mountain. Yes, He shed His blood, and took upon Himself the sins of the world, so that they could be forgiven. But, just as the Jews had to go through incredibly involved rituals to make a sacrifice, beneficial to them, so we ought not think that we can simply say a few words, and expect all that Jesus did on the cross to become relevant for us. That has very sadly become the ‘gospel’ of today. The Jews of the Old Covenant had to obey the Ten Commandments, and the Mosaic Law, so they could be blessed by God: be in relationship with Him. It is clear from the Garden of Eden, all through the Old Testament, that obedience to God was what was demanded of anyone who wanted to be in relationship with Him. God NEVER changes, and neither does His message of salvation. When Jesus came to be the final sacrifice for all future sins, and to emulate the kind of life all God’s children must live, He told us that it’s not those who fawn over or focus on Him who will get to heaven, but it’s those who do God’s will [obey God] who have the welcome mat laid out for them at the pearly gates. Other contributors to the bible confirmed that as well.
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Mat. 7:21
The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. 1 Jn. 2:17
You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. Heb. 10:36
Paul taught the ‘gospel of Jesus Christ’ very clearly, through his letters. He insisted that sin is never acceptable for any person who claims to be God’s kid.
What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?
By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?
Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?
We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his.
For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin—because anyone who has died has been set free from sin. Rom 6:1-7
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord. Rom. 6:23
Please do NOT let Satan fool you to believe that the ‘gift’ means it is free and requires nothing to be done on our part. The whole of the bible assures us that such is NOT the case. God ‘gifts’ us the Holy Spirit when we know Him well enough to fear Him and repent. Acts 2:38 Eternal life is ‘gifted’ to those who do God’s will.
Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 1 Cor. 6:9-10
Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand.
By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.
For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve.
After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.
Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles,
and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.
For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.
Whether, then, it is I or they, this is what we preach, and this is what you believed. 1 Cor. 15:1-11
Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God—I say this to your shame. 1 Cor. 15:34
Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.
Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.
For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Eph. 5:1-6
Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. Col. 1:21
Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature; sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. Col 3:5-6
It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age and who have fallen away, to be brought back to repentance. To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace. Heb. 6:4-6
I could have added much more to that collection of Paul’s gospel, but that’s enough to assure you that he did preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. I believe Paul wrote the book of Hebrews, but whoever did, was well aware that repentance is a one-time event that can never be repeated. The opening words of that teaching displays who real Christians are. All of that is fantasized by today’s ‘Christians.’ They never experience the reality of ‘the powers of the coming age,’ or the Holy Spirit dwelling in them, or have tasted the heavenly gift. Being ‘enlightened’ refers to being ‘in the light,’ which refers to Christ as the light.
The ‘fruit’ that is found on the branches of the Vine is all of the above, which is the exact opposite to someone wallowing around in a cesspit of evil, as they sin daily. Paul was no doubt the world’s first and greatest evangelist. He preached Christ’s gospel boldly, and unashamedly. He lived it as well, and complemented those who emulated that.
For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you,
because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake.
You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.
And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. 1 Thes. 1:4-7
Jesus declared that ‘fruit’ is simply showing by one’s life, that one is a child of God.
This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. John 15:8
In fact, God told us that we are not even Christians if we don’t live the life Jesus lived, let alone the life Paul lived!!
We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in Him must live as Jesus lived. 1 Jn. 2:3-6
Y’all have no need to be reminded that Jesus NEVER sinned!!
I researched ‘American Christianity’ across the USA from 1992 to 2011 and was alarmed and dismayed at what I witnessed. I wrote a book after that, declaring why America is now a cesspool of evil, and how God has a plan to change all that and make her a shining city on a hill. The whole world desperately needs a major spiritual awakening, and my book details what mankind must do to usher in such a blessing.
Amazon or B & N have ‘A Nation Broken,’ ready to ship to y’all now. I very strongly encourage you to get a copy and read it with a hungry heart and open mind.