Embrace the Within no. 168

“For there is no good tree which produces bad fruit, nor, on the other hand, a bad tree which produces good fruit. For each tree is known and identified by its own fruit. For figs are not picked from thorn bushes, nor is a cluster of grapes picked from a briar bush. The [intrinsically] good man produces what is good and honorable and moral out of the good treasure [stored] in his heart; and the [intrinsically] evil man produces what is wicked and depraved out of the evil [in his heart]; for his mouth speaks from the overflow of his heart.”

Luke 6:43-45

Good tree, good fruit. Bad tree, bad fruit. I think it is a really simple way of looking at whether or not I am in accordance with His Will. Looking to see how I act and speak as a reflection of whether, at the core, I am working toward righteousness or working toward evil is a reflection of my outward fruit. I should, “ . . . put on ye new man, which after God is created vnto righteousnes, and true holines. Wherefore cast off lying, and speake euery man truth vnto his neighbour: for we are members one of another. Bee angrie, but sinne not: let not the sunne goe downe vpon your wrath, Neither giue place to the deuill. Let him that stole, steale no more: but let him rather labour, and worke with his handes the thing which is good, that hee may haue to giue vnto him that needeth. Let no corrupt comunication proceed out of your mouths: but that which is good, to ye vse of edifying, that it may minister grace vnto the hearers. And grieue not the holy Spirit of God, by whom ye are sealed vnto ye day of redemption. Let all bitternesse, and anger, and wrath, crying, and euill speaking be put away from you, with all maliciousnesse. Be ye courteous one to another, and tender hearted, freely forgiuing one another, euen as God for Christes sake, freely forgaue you” (Ephesians 4:24-32).

I shouldn’t be the same me that was before He saved me. There should be a difference in how I behave, how I act, and what I say. My fruits should reflect what kind of tree I am. And when I see that I am not bearing the fruit I should, when my fellow Christians or even heathens point out my bad fruit in speech or action, I should pray. I should look at myself rather than blaming others. Because I am the problem. Even though it is difficult to accept at times, growing in sanctification and becoming a better Christian takes a lot more of me changing than it does anyone else changing. I need to change. I need God and His Word to change me. That change isn’t one and done. That change is a daily process of obedience to, “ . . . make an end of your owne saluation with feare and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you, both the will and the deede, euen of his good pleasure. Do all things without murmuring and reasonings, That ye may be blamelesse, and pure, and the sonnes of God without rebuke in the middes of a naughtie and crooked nation, among whom yee shine as lights in the world, Holding forth the worde of life, that I may reioyce in the day of Christ, that I haue not runne in vaine, neither haue laboured in vaine. Yea, and though I bee offered vp vpon the sacrifice, and seruice of your faith, I am glad, and reioyce with you all. For the same cause also be ye glad, and reioyce with me” (Philippians 2:12-18).

I pray that my light and fruits are a reflection of the Lord. I pray that I am humble and teachable when confronted by my own bad fruit. I pray that I give control to God to lead as I follow. I pray that I look at all I need to fix in my life. I pray that I work to fix those things with which I struggle. And I pray that He guides me to be a better light, a better example, and a better Ambassador of His Kingdom. I pray that my work on attaining His righteousness on this side of eternity is a light to those in my home, my community, and my life. I pray that I take seriously my work as an Ambassador of His Kingdom as I walk with Him each day.

I love you. I forgive you. Have a blessed and abundant day!

#ThinkBetter #BeBetter #NoKingButChrist #EmbraceTheWithin #NotMyWayYHWH