The early believers were called “Christians” because they were disciples and followers of Jesus Christ. Their conduct, behaviour, action and speech were like Christ Jesus. They were known as Christians because people could see the fruit of Christ in them.
John 15:4-5 NKJV
“[4] Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. [5] “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.”
Every disciple of Jesus must produce the fruit of Christ in their lives, as evidence that He lives in them. People should recognise and see Jesus in them – in their speech, conduct and deeds. It is time for the world to see the fruit of Christ in us.
It is unfortunate, however, that we now live in a world where the truth of God has been “reinterpreted,” “re-envisaged,” “reimagined,” “redefined” and even “modernised,” to suit the times and our individual preferences.
The greatest casualty in all this is the definition of a “Christian!” We are no longer raising disciples for Christ. We no longer look for the fruit of Christ, formed by the Word and Holy Spirit, in the so-called believer. The works of the flesh have become the norm and common practice, even among “Christians,” at the expense of the fruit of the Spirit, and all in the name of “grace!”
However, God has established His own word as a plumbline for judging all things. On the day of judgement, there is only one thing God is going to look for in each and everyone of us – FRUIT, THE FRUIT OF CHRIST.
Fruit is always essential because it reveals the tree, its source. By the fruit you can identify the seed, roots and the tree it’s been produced from. If we are of Christ, we will be identified by His fruit in us. The fruit we produce in our lives will show the seed and tree we’ve grown from, if we are truly of Christ.
Matthew 7:16-21 NLT
“[16] You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? [17] A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. [18] A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. [19] So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. [20] Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions. [21] “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter.”
FOR REFLECTION AND PRAYER
“Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me;
All His wonderful passion and purity.
O thou Spirit divine, all my nature refine,
Till the beauty of Jesus be seen in me.”
AMEN!
Fulfilling Our Theme For 2024: “Building The Highway And Lifting The Banner”
“And in that day, there shall be a Root of Jesse, who shall stand as a banner to the people; for the Gentiles shall seek Him…. (therefore) Go through, go through the gates! Prepare the way for the people; build up, build up the highway! Take out the stones, lift up a banner for the peoples!”” [Isaiah 11:10, Isaiah 62:10]
Women In Tune | QUIVER | Cedars House Christian (International)