Nothing better than biting into an apple after a good meal. One of the best foods made by God is fruit. I love the taste and how it fulfills the “sweet tooth” that some of us have. The natural fructose inside just tastes good!
God uses the analogy of fruit to help us distinguish the false from the truth that lies within people. He says, “By their fruit you will recognize them.” (Matthew 7: 16) He then explains, “A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.” (Matthew 7: 18)
If we were in a field full of apple trees picking apples to make for apple pie, we wouldn’t pick the rotten apples, would we? We would choose the ones that looked good to eat without being rotten.
Then why would we pick a person exhibiting “bad fruit” to be in our inner circle of friends? Just because someone says they are a Christian, and knows God, does not mean they follow Him. Examine their fruit!
What do I mean? Watch how folks treat others. Do you see honesty and integrity? Are they building the Kingdom of God faithfully and from a pure heart?
There is a way to build our house. “Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” (Matthew 7: 24) Our foundation is Jesus Christ. Everything we build is based upon Him, for His glory and gain, not our own. One can tell the difference if Jesus is not the foundation in their work. It will not stand. The Lord looks at and tests the heart.
- Build your life upon the rock of Jesus. It will stand the test of time.
Moses and his team are building the Tabernacle with the furnishings that God has given much detail about. They are continuing to carry out the work that they were given, and so are we. “We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2: 10) He has furnished us with giftings to be used.
Those good works are the result of the good fruit in our lives, for others to taste and see that the Lord is good. Whatever resources God gives, use wisely. “Of what use is money in the hand of a fool, since he has no desires to get wisdom?” (Proverbs 17: 16)
The next time you bite into an apple remember “You are the apple of God’s eye.” When we release good fruit from our mouths, it’s the fruit of wisdom. It’s like “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.” (Proverbs 25: 11) Your good fruit will stand out and be fruit that remains.
(Matthew 7, Exodus 37: 1-38:31, Proverbs 17, Modified)
UNBROKEN LOVE SERIES
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