Don’t chase fruit.
So often in my life, I’ve found myself chasing the fruit of the gospel. I see it in my desire to do good things for the father, instead of because of the father.
The verse in Luke 10:20 says it all:
“Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” Luke 10:20
The gospel is laid out in a way that we ought to receive the love of God. This is the grand scheme of things. Without receiving we cannot give.
“Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.”
Matthew 10:8 NIV
Rejoice in fruit but do not chase it.
I’m not saying don’t be nice, and I’m not saying don’t be loving.
I’m saying that if you’re wondering why you’ve been so tired of loving your neighbor lately, it’s probably because it’s been difficult for you to receive the love of God.
It’s one thing to know, and it’s another to understand, and to feel.
The big idea is this.
“For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.””
Romans 9:15 NIV
..the Lord picked you for his mercy, and he has blessed you with the lottery of his love. You could have eternity in a hell far from heaven, or never hear the gospel, but he has revealed the truth to you. He has chosen his sheep, and he is your shepherd.
Another thing that I’m NOT saying is this. That in order to love others, you need to feel like it. There are times when we are drained, and yes distant from God. These are the times when you need to be steadfast in the hope that you will again praise him. The hope that you will be alright again, and feel the truth of the Lord.
“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.”
Psalm 43:5 NIV
It is not unnatural to be a human. You’re in the body, and you will feel the body. Yet we must choose the spirit.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.”
James 1:2-6 NIV
We will surely face trials, but do not strive to be a good person in order to be good with God. Instead, face to be good with God, and then as follows, you will be able to be a good person. However our goal is not to be good people, but to follow the commands of the Lord, and thus the fruit of that is a holy and upright individual righteous before God.
Reconcile with God, not his fruit.
Chase God, not the fruit.
The root of the Gospel is the gift of God
The fruit of the Gospel is the love of God.
Thanks all!
