There is a war going on between Religion and Relationship. So many who are trapped in religious do’s and don’ts operate with a form and ritual as opposed to having a real relationship with God. Those with the form of Godliness are seeking power and influence as opposed to the will of God and a Love for His Presence.
Those trapped in religion may even operate in signs, wonders, and Miracles but still may not have intimacy with God. They have learned how to wield God’s Word, which does not return void, but still are often trapped in the dissipations of this life.
They think that because God’s power manifests when they declare the Word that God is ignoring (or doesn’t care) about their lifestyle, in the end, they will discover that that’s not the case.
“You will fully recognize them by their fruits. Do people pick grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles? Even so, every healthy (sound) tree bears good fruit [worthy of admiration], but the sickly (decaying, worthless) tree bears bad (worthless) fruit. A good (healthy) tree cannot bear bad (worthless) fruit, nor can a bad (diseased) tree bear excellent fruit [worthy of admiration].” Matthew 7:16-18
What’s the fruit on the vine of your life? We were not called to examine the gifts that each other possesses, but the Fruit of the Life of every individual. Gifts can manifest in a person almost immediately after receiving the Lord, but fruit takes time to manifest in a person’s life because it is grown on the inside of their life by the influence of the Holy Spirit.
“When you bear much fruit, My Father is honored and glorified, and you show yourselves to be true followers of Mine (John 15:8).”
As for those who have relationship with God, the fruit on their vine will be rich, full, and sweet. Because of their relationship with God and the Love for Him that they possess, it will be obvious to whom they belong.
God is raising up His Sons and Daughters in the earth right now in a fashion previously unseen, not because of Powerful Gifting but through a place of Powerful Intimacy!
These are coming out of deep places of intimacy with Him where many have been locked away for years. They don’t seek the spotlight, to be important, and mammon has no place in their hearts. For that place and their allegiance, as well as their Love, are only for the Presence of God and nothing else.
Many have never set foot in seminaries or been raised up by the influence of any man or woman, but God had them hidden away within the Secret Place of His Presence until the time was right.
The war between religion and Relationship will continue, but only the Love of God will reach this world for Jesus Christ! If you feel distant from the Lord and unsure about your direction today, maybe you need to examine the fruit in your life.
The Holy Spirit will bring you into alignment once more if you find yourself out of balance, where gifting has taken precedence over Fruit and Intimacy. God wants to produce good fruit on the vine of your life, not just powerful gifting in your life, because while there’s nothing wrong with Powerful Giftings, it’s no substitute for His Fruit!
Featured Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
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