A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. -- Matthew 7:18
Christian fruit, whether in the form of good words, deeds,
lifestyle, or character, is the visible manifestation. The life of the vine, the bramble, the apple
tree, or the walnut is hidden from us.
All we can see is what is produced, and it is right for us to judge the
nature of that life based on the fruit, or the lack thereof, we find.
The love of Christ is readily available and freely offered
to each and every one of us. Many of us,
though, find it disturbing and even offensive (Romans 9:33, Galatians 5:11)
that the love of God is given only in and through the Cross. We seem to be troubled by the idea that we
cannot access God on our own terms.
Those who built the tower of Babel said, [L]et us make bricks, and burn them thoroughly. And they had brick for
stone, and bitumen for mortar (Genesis 11:3). Too many times the bricks have been the
bodies of our fellowmen and the mortar their blood. Even so, our towers fall.
Our human philosophies and systems, even religion can be
like the leaves on the fig tree Jesus cursed (Mark 11:14). We are often drawn to those endeavors that
look and sound appealing to the natural man, that have the appearance of life
and wholeness and fruitfulness. We look
at the cruelty of the tree upon which the Lord was crucified, and we see only
death. Yet that is the Tree of
Life. Its fruit is pure and sweet and
true and gives us everlasting life. Here
it is that we receive God’s love, and here it is that we begin to live in and
by that love.
In Christ we abide, and we cannot keep ourselves from being
fruitful. Not to say that we can’t get
back in the flesh but there is really no reason for it. We may get so caught up in fear and worry and
one thing and another that we forget who we are and our communion with the
Lord. He may help us to remember. But this we know is always true: Draw
near to God, and He will draw near to you.
6 comments:
Good stuff Mushroom. Thanks for sharing your life and your thoughts.
Yes, what Rogelio said, and add an Amen.
I'm beginning to understand this "hidden in Christ" concept that you have been talking about these past few months. Not to be confused with depression, but I do want to, sort of, disappear from the world. But this isn't nihilistic. More a giving up on making my way in this world on my own and taking refuge in Christ. Not caring what the world thinks of me. It's a surrender, a submission -woah! that's a loaded word. Maybe it can be described as hiding behind a loving Dad.
Good deal. Thank you all.
It really hit me recently as I have been reading Kierkegaard's "Works of Love", and he makes that point about the life itself being hidden.
Indeed, only when we are hidden in Christ is our destiny and the fruits of our destiny made manifest.
And only when we are hidden in Christ is our true self revealed.
Great post, Dwaine! Lotsa food for thought.
Thank you so much for this!
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