This year, God wants us to bear fruit. Tangible fruit. Fruit that shows up in our lives and changes us.
The fruit that God wants us to bear is the fruit of His Holy Spirit.
“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”
Galatians 5:22-23 NLT
God wants the Holy Spirit at work in our lives because He wants people of the world to see the great love that we have.
“Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other.”
John 13:34-35 MSG
God has called and commissioned us to be different from the world. To stand apart from it so that we may be a light to it.
“Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs]”
Romans 12:2 AMPC
“You are the light of [Christ to] the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden…Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good deeds and moral excellence, and [recognize and honor and] glorify your Father who is in heaven.”
Matthew 5:14,16 AMP
Us displaying the fruits of the Spirit brings God glory. It points people to Christ. And if we are commissioned to be disciples, then we are supposed to be them.
We don’t need a stage or platform to share the Good News. How we live our life is supposed to draw people in. How we live our life matters. Not only in being a disciple, but to God, too.
“So then, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you may do, do all for the honor and glory of God.”
1 Corinthians 10:31 AMPC
We bring glory to God with our life by being a light on the hill that He has set us upon.
What hill has God placed you on? It may be your job or school. Or He has called you to be a light to your family or friends. But God has called each of us to our own specific hill to shine. No one can take your place.
So, God is giving us a year to get it right. To bear fruit and become faithful in the things of God. Jesus gave this parable to the people:
“He also spoke this parable: ‘A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, ‘Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?’ But he answered and said to him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down.’”
Luke 13:6-9 NKJV
The man who owns the vineyard is God, and the keeper is Jesus. The time is to bear fruit so that we may not be cut down or replaced.
Do all that God has prompted you to do this year. Be the light and shine boldly this year. Allow the Holy Spirit to be at work in you so you may bear the fruit of the Spirit.
Have a great week everyone! Don’t forget to uplift, inspire, enlighten and, more importantly, encourage somebody. If you want to reach out or have any prayer requests, you can submit them here.
