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The reality of God's wrath
John 15:2, Day 4
He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.
Our Eternal ROI
This week has been a good reminder of our need--and the Bible's support--of making difficult choices to protect the people and resources that matter most. It certainly is antithetical to the American culture's desire to have it all.
God sets this example through Jesus' words in John 15; however, we are doing ourselves the greatest disservice if we don't recognize that Jesus is specifically talking about our eternal destinations.
Commentaries and study bibles like to align around the "fruit" in this passage resembling the "fruits of the Spirit" (Galatians 5) more than the number of conversions or disciples a Christian brings into the church.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
This would mean that a life lived without joy, peace, patience, etc., is not a life lived with Christ and is, therefore, a life lived as a part of Christ. While I understand that point, I am struck by two passages that put pressure on that theory.
Seeing from a distance a fig tree in leaf, He went to see if perhaps He would find anything on it; and when He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. And He said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again!” And His disciples were listening... As they were passing by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots up.
Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,
Our purpose is to delight in the presence of God and enjoy Him forever. Our task is to spread the Gospel of Jesus throughout the nations. Yes, we should study to show ourselves approved (2 Timothy 2:15), but that was under the auspice of defending the faith against criticism while disciplining and evangelizing.
The fig tree in Mark 11 was fully grown. It had spent years consuming energy and converting it to deep roots and bright leaves to soak in the light from above. This sounds like a believer spending much time deepening their own faith. Yet, it was still condemned for its inability to provide in accordance with its purpose.
This is not a popular opinion, but I contend the commentaries and study bibles are wrong. They write this in the same cultural context of American Christian apathy, where my Sunday morning entertainment, my study, and my growth are my primary concerns. That is not what Jesus asks of us. A life lived for Jesus requires us to pick up our cross daily.
Paul follows the fruits of the Spirit with,
Now those who belong to Christ Jesus crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let’s follow the Spirit as well.
If our flesh desires all the bad things (see Gal 5), then we cannot force our flesh to live by the fruits of the Spirit. We cannot "make" our lives bear fruit; that is only Christ in us. Yet, Jesus says God cuts every branch in Him that does not bear fruit. Therefore, the branch is in Christ, meaning some form of the fruits of the Spirit has the potential to be shown, but the branch is still cut off. I suggest that the fruit in John 15:2 is the same as the harvest of the Parable of the Seed or the talents in the Parable of the Talents. All of them represent bringing more people into the flock.
I won't dare suggest there is a minimum number. Some of the world's greatest saints labored hard for only a few souls, but they still went and tried. They may have shown one fruit, but it was hard fought. How many fruits have we grown?
We will be judged for every word we speak. We will be separated like goats from sheep based on our relationship with Christ. And now, we will be condemned for our lack of evangelism.
Just like good works and the fruit of the spirit must naturally expel from us as we live for Christ, so should our evangelism. Our culture has tricked us into laziness. It's about time we pushed back.
I encourage you to be brave today. Share your faith. Offer "blessings" to those who help you. Send "prayers" over "thoughts." Ask your waitress what her spiritual beliefs are--people will open up far more easily than you imagine.
Trust the Spirit to move and follow its lead. It's why we are here. If we choose not to bear the fruit He's looking for, what use does He have for us?
Memorizing His words
Each day throughout the week, we'll string short verses of Jesus' words together. Take a moment to etch them on your heart so you can take joy in His promises for you.
John 15, NIV
v18: If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.
v14: You are my friends if you do what I command.
v4: If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
v1: I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.
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