BEING FRUITFUL

[kwikphilly]

Blessings Brothers & Sisters

Just going by the Title of the Thread" Being Fruitful" would bring Genesis 1:28 to my mind...God Said" Be FRUITFUL and multiply " of course God's Word was His Blessing  to Adam and Eve to fill the earth and to subdue it.... giving mankind dominion over the earth and all living things on it

Now this does not have to be only about procreation but can also be interpreted about BEARING Good Fruit and what comes of that resulting in a fruitful harvest

Let us take a look in the Book of Galations,Chapter 5

The Apostle Paul begins by speaking about the Freedom in Christ by the GRACE of God.... saying the ONLY thing that counts is FAITH( in Christ( expressed through Love.

The ENTIRE Law is fulfilled in one Command- "Love they neighbor as yourself"

Speaking of Bearing Good Fruit I'd ne'er want anyone to strive for these THINGS,that would be as bad (imo) as trying to accomplish good works of one's own self righteous effort- almost equal to being bound by the Law.... we STRIVE towards perfection IN CHRIST.... it is through LOVE we bear GOOD FRUIT and produce good works- our Love for God in Christ,not obligation,not by effort but by subjecting all " things " to the Obedience of Christ JESUS

Beloved,do not stumble on the word Obedience- it is the Obedience OF Christ that we walk IN Obedience!

Finally,Paul describes the Character of Jesus,His Attributes in verses 22-26   The Fruit if the Spirit is the Perfection we Strive for .....How,you may ask? RELATIONSHIP is how- pursuing your intimate and personal Relationship with God in Christ- seek Him with ALL your heart ,mind & soul in His Word,pray,ask,spend time with Him and GROW in your Relationship and you will blossom- a tree planted in good soil,in the Light,being fed and watered will no don't bear good fruit come Season

With love in Christ,Kwik

 

 

[AnOrangeCat]

On 12/23/2024 at 4:32 AM, kwikphilly said:

Speaking of Bearing Good Fruit I'd ne'er want anyone to strive for these THINGS,that would be as bad (imo) as trying to accomplish good works of one's own self righteous effort- almost equal to being bound by the Law.... we STRIVE towards perfection IN CHRIST.... it is through LOVE we bear GOOD FRUIT and produce good works- our Love for God in Christ,not obligation,not by effort but by subjecting all " things " to the Obedience of Christ JESUS

You reminded me of something that's come up in some of Vine Abider's topics: the notion that we can be saved yet lose out on Heavenly rewards based on I Corinthians 3:15. Our motives matter in these things.

That said based on my own Christian journey I feel like we're all very much works in progress, or trees that have yet to bear all their fruit. If we stick with it God eventually works a change in us. My process was going from a kid who accepted Jesus without fully grasping and knowing what it all meant to a teenager terrified  of not being good enough yet unwilling/unable to change, and then finally in my 30s after some very trying circumstances realizing God wasn't out to get me and had in fact done some significant intervention on my behalf.

It really has impressed on me the work in progress angle. The Bible tells us the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, but to my experience that can eventually lead you to a place of love for God and the rest of humanity in general. And then from there the fruit comes more or less naturally. There's still the flesh to wrestle with but it typically gets easier as you grow in Christ.

[kwikphilly]

4 hours ago, AnOrangeCat said:

You reminded me of something that's come up in some of Vine Abider's topics: the notion that we can be saved yet lose out on Heavenly rewards based on I Corinthians 3:15. Our motives matter in these things.

That said based on my own Christian journey I feel like we're all very much works in progress, or trees that have yet to bear all their fruit. If we stick with it God eventually works a change in us. My process was going from a kid who accepted Jesus without fully grasping and knowing what it all meant to a teenager terrified  of not being good enough yet unwilling/unable to change, and then finally in my 30s after some very trying circumstances realizing God wasn't out to get me and had in fact done some significant intervention on my behalf.

It really has impressed on me the work in progress angle. The Bible tells us the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, but to my experience that can eventually lead you to a place of love for God and the rest of humanity in general. And then from there the fruit comes more or less naturally. There's still the flesh to wrestle with but it typically gets easier as you grow in Christ.

Yeah,we are indeed a work in progress

I find Paul's letter to the church at Corinth can be difficult at times- his letter was specific to an unruly group of folks,that church had more issues than any other I believe- quite the hot mess!

In Christ we are the Righteousness of God, I'm happy to be a janitor sweeping the streets paved with gold - because what better Reward is there than to be with our Lord for Eternity?

With love in Christ,Kwik

[Santoso]

Beloved ones, we heard Jesus spake: 

 

“Take heed therefore HOW ye HEAR: for whosoever HATH, to him SHALL BE GIVEN; and whosoever HATH NOT, from him SHALL BE TAKEN  even that which he SEEMETH TO HAVE.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭8‬:‭18‬ ‭KJV‬‬

 

For we heard: “for whosoever HATH” and “whosoever HATH NOT”

 

What HATH and HATH NOT?

 

This, we heard: 

 

“But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, HAVING HEARD THE WORD, keep IT, and bring forth fruit with patience.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭8‬:‭15‬ ‭KJV‬‬

 

For Jesus also said:

 

“Now the parable is this: The seed is THE WORD OF GOD.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭8‬:‭11‬ ‭KJV‬‬

 

And before this, Jesus said unto His disciples:

 

“And he said, Unto you IT IS GIVEN to KNOW THE MYSTERIES OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭8‬:‭10‬ ‭KJV‬‬

 

Now, let us consider again what we heard Jesus said:

 

“Take heed therefore HOW ye HEAR: for whosoever HATH, to him SHALL BE GIVEN; and whosoever HATH NOT, from him SHALL BE TAKEN even that which he SEEMETH TO HAVE.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭8‬:‭18‬ ‭KJV‬‬

 

Paraphrasing for clarity:

 

Take heed therefore HOW ye HEAR THE WORD: for whosoever HATH THE WORD OF GOD, to him SHALL BE GIVEN TO KNOW THE MYSTERIES OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD;

and whosoever HATH not THE WORD OF GOD, from him SHALL BE TAKEN TO KNOW THE PARABLES, even that which he SEEMETH TO HAVE THE WORD.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭8‬:‭18‬ ‭KJV‬‬

 

For we also heard:

 

“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye CONTINUE IN MY WORD, then ARE YE MY DISCIPLES INDEED;”

‭‭John‬ ‭8‬:‭31‬ ‭KJV‬‬

 

Beloved ones, let us take heed FOR THE REASON WAY OF CHRIST or MANNER OF HIS DISCIPLES: for ANY PERSON HATH THE WORD OF GOD, to him SHALL BE GIVEN TO KNOW THE MYSTERIES OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD;

and whosoever HATH not THE WORD OF GOD, from him SHALL BE TAKEN TO KNOW THE PARABLES, even that which he SEEMETH TO HAVE THE WORD.

 

To God the Father be all glory and thanksgiving through Christ. Amen

[Santoso]

Beloved ones, let us consider again what we have heard Jesus spake:  

 

“And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare FRUIT an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, 

HE THAT HATH EARS TO HEAR, LET HIM HEAR.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭8‬:‭8‬ ‭KJV‬‬

 

This is what Jesus explained:

 

“But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭8‬:‭15‬ ‭KJV‬‬

 

Paraphrasing for clarity:

 

“But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard THE WORD, OBEY THE WORD OF GOD, and SPEAK FORTH THE MYSTERIES OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD with patience.

 

WHAT MYSTERIES OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD, that Jesus spake about, that we shall speak forth with patience?

 

This, we heard Jesus said; let us consider again what we heard: 

 

“And he said, Unto you it is given to know THE MYSTERIES OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD: but to others in PARABLES; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭8‬:‭10‬ ‭KJV‬‬

 

Beloved ones, let our hearts be IN UNION WITH CHRIST’s HEART, that is AN honest and good HEART, having heard THE WORD, OBEY THE WORD OF GOD, and SPEAK FORTH THE PARABLES, that is, THE SPIRITUAL MYSTERIES OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD with patience.

 

Selah ( reflect to pause)

 

To God the Father be all glory and thanksgiving through Christ.

Amen

[Santoso]

Beloved ones, let us now consider one of the parables. This is what we heard:

 

“A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭8‬:‭5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

 

And Jesus said:

 

“Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. 

 

Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭8‬:‭11‬-‭12‬ ‭KJV‬‬

 

For we heard, Jesus said the seed is the word of God. Earlier Jesus spake about the parable:  A sower went out to sow his seed. If the seed is the word of God, that means HIS SEED is the word belonging to God. That we perceive the sower is GOD.

 

Paraphrasing clarity for Luke‬ ‭8‬:‭5‬ ‭KJV‬‬:

 

GOD went out to sow HIS WORD: and as He sowed, some fell by the way side: some PARABLES heard by their deceitful and evil hearts, then cometh the devil; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it:

and THE WORD was taken away 

out of their hearts, and the devil let them DOUBT and be ENDANGERED. 

 

Beloved ones, IF a sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell NOT by the way side; and it was NOT trodden down, and the fowls of the air NOT devoured it.

 

Paraphrasing for clarity:

 

a sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by NATURALLY ; and it was NOT PREVIOUSLY EXPLORED UP, and God GROWS. 

 

Paraphrasing for clarity:

 

GOD went out to sow HIS WORD: and as He sowed, some fell by NATURALLY: some MYSTERIES OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD UNDERSTAND by us in union with Christ, then cometh GOD;

and THE WORD OF GOD was NOT PREVIOUSLY EXPLORED UP, and God GROWS: 

and THE WORD was BROUGHT BACK or RETURNED 

IN of our hearts, and GOD let us BELIEVE and be SAVED.

 

Beloved ones, let us hear the mysteries of the kingdom of God , that we understand the mysteries of THE GOODNESS OF GOD IN UNION WITH CHRIST, for the word of God RETURNED IN of our hearts, and GOD let us BELIEVE HIS WORD and be SAVED THROUGH HIS WORD. 

 

This is confirmed to us through apostle Paul:

 

“having made known unto us THE MYSTERY OF HIS WILL, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: that in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might GATHER TOGETHER IN ONE ALL THINGS IN CHRIST, both which are in heaven, AND WHICH ARE ON EARTH; even in him:”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭1‬:‭9‬-‭10‬ ‭KJV‬‬

 

“that CHRIST MAY DWELL IN YOUR HEARTS  BY FAITH; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭3‬:‭17‬ ‭KJV‬‬

 

“But we BELIEVE that THROUGH the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall BE SAVED, even as they.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭15‬:‭11‬ ‭KJV‬‬

 

Beloved ones, let us understand the mysteries of THE GOODNESS OF GOD IN UNION WITH CHRIST, for Christ dwell in our hearts, and GOD let us BELIEVE THE GRACE OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST 

and be SAVED THROUGH HIM. 

 

To God the Father be all glory and thanksgiving through Christ.

Amen

[Santoso]

Beloved ones, let us consider SPIRITUALLY again HOW Jesus said:

 

“And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare FRUIT an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, 

HE THAT HATH EARS TO HEAR, LET HIM HEAR.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭8‬:‭8‬ ‭KJV‬‬

 

Paraphrasing for clarity:

 

And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and BARE FRUIT  an hundredfold: and other MYSTERIES OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD UNDERSTOOD BY US IN UNION WITH CHRIST and PERCEIVE SPIRITUALLY, and ABIDE IN CHRIST an hundredfold.

 

And when he had said these things, he cried, 

HE THAT HATH UNDERSTANDING THE WORD OF GOD TO OBEY, LET HIM SPEAK FORTH THE MYSTERIES OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD, that he UNDERSTOOD.

 

Selah

 

Beloved ones, let us  hear the word of God by THE HEART OF JESUS CHRIST, and PERCEIVE SPIRITUALLY, that abide we in union with Him an hundredfold.

 

And let us that have understanding the word of God to obey, let us speak forth the spiritual mysteries of the goodness of God. 

 

To God the Father be all glory and thanksgiving through Christ.

Amen 

[Santoso]

Beloved ones, let us consider this parable:

 

“No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light. 

 

For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭8‬:‭16‬-‭17‬ ‭KJV‬‬

 

Paraphrasing for clarity:

 

God, when He hath enlightened a spirit of man, covereth the spirit of man with a GOOD TESTIMONY OF JESUS CHRIST, or AWAKE to HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS

; that  setteth THE TESTIMONY on a WITNESS, that they which OBEY THE TRUTH may PERCEIVE the TEACHING. 

 

For EVERY THING is MANIFESTATION, that shall be made manifest; either EVERY thing REVEAL, that shall be known and GO HOME or RETURN HOME.

 

Beloved ones, when God hath enlightened our spirits IN UNION WITH CHRIST, cover us with a good testimony of Jesus Christ or awake us to His righteousness; that put the testimony on a witness OF CHRIST, that we which obey the truth may perceive the teaching OF CHRIST.

 

For every thing is a manifestation OF CHRIST, that shall be made manifest; either every thing REVEAL CHRIST, that shall be known and APPEAR CHRIST. 

 

For this is confirmed to us:

 

whereunto he CALLED you by our GOSPEL, TO THE OBTAINING OF THE GLORY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.”

‭‭2 Thessalonians‬ ‭2‬:‭14 KJV‬‬

 

To God the Father be all glory and thanksgiving through Christ.

Amen

[Santoso]

Beloved ones, we heard:

 

“He spake ALSO this parable; A CERTAIN MAN had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought FRUIT thereon, and found none.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭13‬:‭6‬ ‭KJV‬‬

 

What CERTAIN MAN, did Jesus speak ? If Jesus spake this parable, there must be another parable, that He spake about A CERTAIN MAN.

 

In the same book of Luke, we heard:

 

“But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And WHO is my NEIGHBOUR? 

 

And Jesus ANSWERING said, A CERTAIN MAN went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭10‬:‭29‬-‭30‬ ‭KJV‬‬

 

Then, we heard Jesus said:

 

“WHICH now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour UNTO HIM THAT FELL AMONG THE THIEVES?”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭10‬:‭36‬ ‭KJV‬‬

 

“And he said, HE THAT SHEWED MERCY ON HIM. Then said Jesus unto him, GO, AND DO THOU LIKEWISE.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭10‬:‭37‬ ‭KJV‬‬

 

We perceive:

 

Jesus consider, that A CERTAIN MAN, was HE THAT FELL AMONG THE THIEVES.

 

A NEIGHBOUR is HE THAT SHEWED MERCY ON HIM THAT FELL AMONG THE THIEVES.

 

Paraphrasing for clarity:

 

Jesus consider, that A CERTAIN MAN, was HE THAT FELL AMONG THE SINNERS.

 

A NEIGHBOUR is HE THAT SHEWED MERCY ON HIM THAT FELL AMONG THE SINNERS.

 

How may we SHOW MERCY ON HIM THAT FELL AMONG THE THIEVES OR SINNERS? 

 

This, we also heard Jesus said in the book of Luke earlier:

 

“And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on. 

 

There was A CERTAIN CREDITOR which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.

‭‭

And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly FORGAVE them both. Tell me therefore, WHICH  of them WILL LOVE HIM MOST?”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭7‬:‭40-42 ‭KJV‬‬

 

That we perceive:

 

A CERTAIN MAN is HIM THAT FELL AMONG THE THIEVES, that A CERTAIN MAN is A CERTAIN CREDITOR.

 

Paraphrasing for clarity:

 

A CERTAIN MAN is HIM THAT FELL AMONG THE SINNERS, that A CERTAIN MAN is A CERTAIN CREDITOR, THAT FORGAVE or HAVE SHOWN MERCY. 

 

For we heard our Lord Jesus said:

 

“Wherefore I say unto thee, Her SINS, which are MANY, are FORGIVEN; for she LOVED MUCH: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. 

 

And he SAID UNTO her, THY SINS ARE FORGIVEN.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭7‬:‭47‬-‭48‬ ‭KJV‬‬

 

Selah ( reflect to pause)

 

Beloved ones, let us consider again what we heard:

 

“There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilæans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 

 

And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilæans were SINNERS ABOVE  all the Galilæans, because they suffered such things? 

 

I tell you, NAY: but, except ye REPENT, ye shall all likewise perish. 

 

Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were SINNERS ABOVE  all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? 

 

I tell you, NAY: but, except ye REPENT, ye shall all likewise perish.

 

“He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭13‬:‭1-6‬ ‭KJV‬‬

 

“Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? 

 

And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: and if it bear fruit, well: 

 

and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down. And he WAS TEACHING in one of the synagogues on the sabbath.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭13‬:‭7‬-‭10‬ ‭KJV‬‬

 

What were HIS TEACHING ?

 

Paraphrasing for clarity:

 

“He spake also this MYSTERY OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD; A certain CREDITOR OF RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD had a debtor OF RIGHTEOUSNESS placed in his labor; and he came and sought fruit of REPENTANCE thereon, and found none REPENT. 

 

“Then said he unto the PRUNER of his labor, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit OF REPENTANCE on this debtor, and find none: cut DEBTOR down; why cumbereth it  the HEART

 

And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall secure the debtor about because there is hope and drop flesh: and if the debtor dwell in Christ, well: 

 

and if not, then after that thou shalt cut DEBTOR down. And he WAS TEACHING in one of the synagogues on the sabbath.

 

Beloved ones, let us understand this MYSTERY OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

 

Let not our SELF RIGHTEOUSNESS or TRANSGRESSIONS or WRONGDOINGS cumber THE HEART OF JESUS CHRIST, that 

drop the flesh or disown sin, that we drop our self righteousness or disown TRANSGRESSIONS or SINS, that we may belong to Christ, that we have the Spirit of Christ, for we through the Spirit or the spiritual gospel of Christ 

wait for THE HOPE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS  (that is, risen to grace) by faith: that we dwell in Christ or we dwell in the spiritual gospel of Christ.

 

Beloved ones, let us be pruned, that we may bear more fruit, that is: let us be pruned of our self righteousness or transgressions, that we may dwell more in Christ or we may dwell more  in the REVEALED RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD. 

 

Beloved ones,let Jesus come and seek fruit of REPENTANCE thereon, and found REPENTANCE.

 

Beloved ones, let us repent, that become we the spiritual gospel of Christ, and be found in the glory of Christ.

 

For we heard: 

 

“even THE MYSTERY which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but NOW IS MADE MANIFEST TO HIS SAINTS: to whom GOD WOULD MAKE KNOWN  what is the riches of THE GLORY OF THIS MYSTERY among the Gentiles; WHICH IS CHRIST IN YOU, THE HOPE OF GLORY: whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:”

‭‭Colossians‬ ‭1‬:‭26‬-‭28‬ ‭KJV‬‬

 

And we also heard: 

 

whereunto he CALLED you by our GOSPEL, TO THE OBTAINING OF THE GLORY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.”

‭‭2 Thessalonians‬ ‭2‬:‭14 KJV‬‬

 

To God the Father be all glory and thanksgiving through Christ.

Amen