Many believers will readily state that they are living for Christ. My question is always, "Does your life demonstrate that you are living for Christ?" What is the nature of this question? Do we only say that we are living for Christ, or do our actions demonstrate that we are living for Christ? Do we take a stand for the weak, or do we decide that it is not our business and do not want to get involved? Are we ready and willing to give our time, talent, and treasure, or do we only do so when its time to tithe and go to church? Are we setting a Christ-like example outside of our churches, or do we conform to the world when we are in the world? A life that is lived totally for Christ will be demonstrated by the fruit that life yields.
"Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear god fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire." Matthew 7:17-19 NIV.
What does your fruit look like? Most believers take this to mean that we are to always go out and "tell" people about the grace extended to them by Christ in hopes of winning that person to Jesus. This is not always the case. We are to demonstrate the grace Christ extended to us by the way in which we live our lives. The old saying, "Actions speak louder than words" is really quite true when walking in faith in the world in which we live. Sadly, there are not very many of us that walk in faith when faced with difficulties or hardships.
Picture the Christian that is always testifying and witnessing for others about Jesus and how mighty He is and how loving and how He always takes care of us. Then picture that same believer when they have lost their job and have fallen on extremely difficult times. Many times the picture we see is one of frustration, blame, doubt. etc.. These actions speak volumes to the many we are trying to yet win for the Lord. I have heard it many times, "I don't really have the desire to serve a God that leaves me feeling down and out. I think I am doing fine on my own."
The point is, we never know who is watching us to see if we demonstrate what we say we believe. Its very "normal" and "safe" to act a certain way inside the comfort and safety of our churches, but what about when we are out in the world? Think on it!!!
Harold Trent
"Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear god fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire." Matthew 7:17-19 NIV.
What does your fruit look like? Most believers take this to mean that we are to always go out and "tell" people about the grace extended to them by Christ in hopes of winning that person to Jesus. This is not always the case. We are to demonstrate the grace Christ extended to us by the way in which we live our lives. The old saying, "Actions speak louder than words" is really quite true when walking in faith in the world in which we live. Sadly, there are not very many of us that walk in faith when faced with difficulties or hardships.
Picture the Christian that is always testifying and witnessing for others about Jesus and how mighty He is and how loving and how He always takes care of us. Then picture that same believer when they have lost their job and have fallen on extremely difficult times. Many times the picture we see is one of frustration, blame, doubt. etc.. These actions speak volumes to the many we are trying to yet win for the Lord. I have heard it many times, "I don't really have the desire to serve a God that leaves me feeling down and out. I think I am doing fine on my own."
The point is, we never know who is watching us to see if we demonstrate what we say we believe. Its very "normal" and "safe" to act a certain way inside the comfort and safety of our churches, but what about when we are out in the world? Think on it!!!
Harold Trent
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