“…I have chosen you, and ordained you, that you should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain.” John 15:16
Dear Ones:
There is coming a day when every believer, disciple of Christ, will be judged, not with regard to God’s wrath and condemnation, but with regard to the QUALITY of the works he or she has done. It is true that nothing can separate the believer from the love of God. However, this glorious and fixed position in Christ, does not exclude the action of God’s purifying fire from going through all of our works, words and deeds, to prove what KIND and QUALITY they are. It was David Livingstone who wrote: “I want my life to count for Christ, what’s done BY HIM will last.” The only “works” which will endure the purifying fire of God will be those accomplished by the Spirit, for they are the fruits of Christ’s life, manifested in and through us. There will be no boasting in that day, of things done independently of Christ. There will only be the glorying and rejoicing in God for all that was done, and revealed by the Spirit of God. What is the basis in Scripture for these assertions?
Jesus, in the sermon on the mount, made a very emphatic declaration concerning the difference between a person’s profession of faith, and his or her possession of Christ: “Not every one that saith unto Me, ‘Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of My Father which is in heaven.'” (Matt. 7:21) He goes on to speak of professing disciples who act, and work, “in Jesus’ name,” but who do so independently of Him. They do not KNOW Him, walk with Him, abide in Him. If true fruit is to be born, and will last, then it must be born out of a relationship with Christ, possessing Him, and being possessed by Him.
In the same Sermon on Mount, the Lord speaks of good and corrupt trees. He, of course, is speaking of the difference between those who truly know Him and those who do not. But the point must be made that, a “good” tree is such in the eyes of God because of the “good” nature the Holy Spirit. It is only as words and deeds are born out of fellowship and communion with God by the Spirit, that HIS goodness is revealed…His fruit is manifested. Good fruit only comes from the GOOD nature of God in Christ by the Spirit. This is that which will truly endure, for it is OF God…”what’s done by Him will last.”
Dear Father, give us grace to see clearly that ALL in this life of faith has its basis, reason, and realization, in the fellowship with Thy Son. This is our high calling, so that out of such communion, You can manifest the fruits of His life by the Spirit, for Your eternal glory and honor. Give us to be those who abide in Christ today, deriving all from Him, so that He may abide in us. Then, much fruit shall be born…fruit that will last, for Thy glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad