Even If i Walk Alone

Instructing and encouraging you to live your life as a disciple of Jesus

Galatians

Bad Fruit

by

The Bible uses the analogy of good and bad fruit to distinguish between what believers and nonbelievers will produce in their lives (Matthew 7:17-20). Genuine followers of Christ will produce good fruit (John 15:8). Jesus says if we abide in Him, we will produce fruit that is growing and desirable (John 15:4-5), as we cannot produce any other kind.

a crowd with raised hands at an event espousing a false gospel and generating bad fruit showing a lack of discipline and discernment for those in attendance which belies their discipleship

But for those not in Him, Jesus likens them to bad trees that can only produce bad fruit (Matthew 7:18). A bad tree doesn’t produce good fruit every now and again; it produces bad fruit every time. Sure, it might look appealing on the outside, but inside it is rotten and sour. If we consume enough of it, what do you imagine will become of our spiritual health?

[Read more…] about Bad Fruit

Without Exception

by

In a recent sermon, my pastor stated, “If you have any exceptions in your obedience, you are not a Christian.” It’s a bold statement that might cause you to form an immediate objection. After all, who are we to say who is or isn’t a true Christian? Once you get past the initial shock of the bluntness of the statement, you will see that it is in line with God’s Word.

Man pondering what it means to obey Christ without exception, and to order his priorities to reflect his commitment and desire to live in discipleship to Christ.

The problem is we skim over the parts of the Bible that are too convicting or too hard to follow. My pastor’s words are not a new teaching or even controversial when held up to the light of scripture. What we are reacting to is the fact that obeying God’s Word without exception is not something most are willing to do.

[Read more…] about Without Exception

Bear Fruit

by

The one thing all Christians have in common is that they bear fruit. If there is no fruit in the life of someone, it is because they have no connection to the root of our faith, Jesus Christ. We can discern who the true followers of Christ are by examining the fruit of their lives (Matthew 7:15–20). But what is this fruit we should see? The fruit of the Spirit is the manifestation of Christ’s Lordship over our lives (Galatians 5:22–23).

A man being kind to a beggar, bearing the fruit of his repentance and salvation, a faith that will keep him from Hell.

Fruit is the inevitable result of looking and living like Jesus. People will notice we are different. Fruit-bearers do not capitulate to the culture or seek to change God’s Word to fit their preferences or desires. The fruit of salvation will always glorify God, the source of all that is good and holy (John 15:8).

[Read more…] about Bear Fruit

Redeemed from Sin

by

There is nothing in this world we need or should even desire that has any connection with sin. Sin is a great offense to God, and if we love Him, we will do nothing against Him on purpose. Why would we, being redeemed from sin, desire to continue to dabble in it (Romans 6:1-2)? In his first epistle, John remarks that if we love God, we will not indulge in habitual sin (1 John 3:9; 1 John 5:18).

redeemed from sin,commitment,discipleship,forgiveness,redemption,salvation,sin,surrender

When God transforms your heart, you no longer desire your old life (2 Corinthians 5:17). We are a new creation with new dreams and desires. Those dreams and desires will align with the will of our King and Savior (Romans 12:2; Philippians 2:13). True repentance leads to real transformation, and real transformation cannot result in a heart that continues to burn for sin.

[Read more…] about Redeemed from Sin

Faithfulness

by

One of my favorite parables is that of the vineyard workers (Matthew 20:1-16), as it provides a great lesson on faithfulness. In it, Jesus tells how a landowner goes to the marketplace early in the morning and hires several workers, agreeing to pay them a denarius for the day’s work. The landowner goes back to the marketplace three times throughout the day, and a last time at 5:00pm to hire additional workers.

faithfulness,focus,mission,priorities,faithful,faith

His only promise of wages to any of those was he would pay them “whatever is right.” At 6:00 he instructs his agent to call the workers in and pay them, beginning with the last hired and moving backwards to the first. Those hired last received a denarius, so when those hired first came to collect their wages, they were thinking they would get more. However, they also received a denarius.

[Read more…] about Faithfulness