December 15, 2024 -- Proverbs 14:13 -- Question: what kind of fruit is your life bearing?

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The backslider in heart will be filled with the fruit of his ways,
a good man will be filled with the fruit of his ways.
Proverbs 14:13 ESV
 
When a Christian desires to follows Jesus Christ, that new desire is evidence that the Spirit of God has taken hold of the heart and is giving new impulses which are in keeping with the new life that comes through the Gospel. Jesus was approached by the Rich Young Ruler who began his question by addressing Jesus as “Good Teacher”. Jesus stopped him right there observing, “No one is good except God alone” (Luke 18:18-19 ESV).  Ah, do you see the problem? Old Testament and New Testament no man or woman or child is good.  Then, how can a good man be filled with the fruit of his good ways?
 
The point Jesus is making is first, He is God. He is fully human and by the work of the Spirit in His humanity He walks in perfect harmony with the will of His Father in heaven. He is good. Second, He is the source of good. If one is not in step with Jesus, one can’t be good. In the Old Testament, sacrifices pointed to the goodness of God which is given through Jesus Christ. He would be One sacrifice to take away sinners’ guilt and the punishment they deserve. Third, it is by faith in God that the goodness of Christ is applied to the life of the believer and kept in the believer by the Holy Spirit. Finally, if the Rich Young Ruler were really interested in the goodness of Jesus, He would have  acknowledged Jesus's power to give him true joy, and in view of that joy left his love of money and replaced it with a love for Jesus, the treasure greater than any evaluation or ability to price.
 
As believers follow Jesus Christ, their lives are transformed. They are granted the righteousness of Jesus. The old life with its patterns of sin and former willing cooperation with evil are being dismantled. For this reason, those who find victory in Jesus Christ pray “I humbly ask God to place healthy character qualities in me” (Step 7, Overcomers Workbook, page 123). It is a heartfelt admission there is no good in me that is “naturally occurring”. Any good found in me must find its source in my union with Jesus Christ—the Captain of Salvation. The struggle is real. It is constant. The Devil hates Jesus, but unable to attack Jesus directly, seeks to tear at and kill those who are becoming more and more like Jesus.
 
The Bible is filled with examples and illustrations of the “fruit” that is granted to believers. For example, there is the fruit of righteousness (Philippians 1:11). There is the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). There are examples of bitter fruits as well, for those who refuse to walk with God. Those who know God exists, but refuse to follow Him, are clearly identified by the root bearing poisonous and bitter fruit (Deuteronomy 29:18). Face it, your life will always bear fruit, clear evidence of Who or what you are following. Those who run with the Devil bear fruits like: maliciousness, attitudes of disobedience to parents or authorities, gossip, bitterness, murderous thoughts and so on. Those who follow Jesus Christ will bear good fruit, evidence of the life of Jesus in Whom they are united to God and to other believers.
 
Father in heaven, I humbly ask You to remove from me the root of bitterness. Renew in me a desire to know Jesus and follow Him. By Your Spirit’s presence, plant in me the goodness of Jesus so that my life will bear good fruit to the praise and glory of God.  Amen.

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