Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Devotional 128 - Fruit


"To be sure, we are saved by faith, not fruit, but we won't be saved by fruitless faith."  Burk Parsons Table talk

Jesus said; "I am the vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit." John 15: 1, 2

"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." John 15: 4

I woke up this morning and before I stepped out of bed I had already thought three negative thoughts, worried about something, and used a sarcastic tone of voice with my husband. As a few more moments passed, I began to get my Christian bearings back and I felt guilty for my behavior. 

I had to confess that I woke up totally ignoring God. When I do that I let fear and anger dominate my mind instead of the love of God. So immediately I repented and remembered that I live by grace moment by moment. It was grace that brought me to the cross and grace that keeps me in the arms of Jesus. No matter how long I talk the talk, all day long I fail to walk the walk. 

I need Jesus! I need the goodness of Jesus to want to do good. I need the love of Jesus to want to love Jesus. I need the patience of Jesus to want to be patient. I need the forgiveness of Jesus to be forgiven. 

The more I realize my need for Jesus, the more my attitudes and behaviors conform to Him. ....not by trying harder, but by treasuring Him longer. 

As I treasure Jesus Christ, I will bear fruit, not perfectly, not without some pruning, but nevertheless fruit will be produced. Christ promises it.

"Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none on earth that I desire besides You." Psalm 73:25