I want you to know that our life does not consist of working our way to heaven, but rather being invited in because of the grace of God.
I bear fruit in my life because I love God. I do not do “works” in my Christian life because I am afraid that God will send me to hell. I do “works” in my Christian life because I am grateful for the grace, mercy, and forgiveness He has “freely” given me!!!! God will not keep the doors of heaven shut and prevent anyone from coming in if we do not keep a 40 hour spiritual work week. Those who “love” God will always be a light. Forgive often. Tell the Good News! Be commited to discipleship. Love unconditionally. Accept people for who they are. Heavens doors are wide open for anyone who accepts the gifts God has freely given.
It is not our job to be the keeper of the gate and determine who is faithful and who will get heaven. It is our priveldege to tell the powerful news of Jesus and share our testimony of what He has done in our lives.
Chuck Swindoll is a premier religious writer and an excellent speaker. Chuck gives some very good principles on bearing fruit when he/she is connected to God. The following is an article from Chuck Swindoll:
Just before His death and resurrection, Jesus revealed that the secret of growing God's fruit is in being at home with Him. That's the true definition of the familiar word abide. This is how Jesus describes what that means in John 15:5: "I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing."
Spiritual fruit is not the result of self-effort. You grow more of God's fruit not when you try harder, but when you stay connected to the Source. When you abide in Christ, you invite Him to live with you each day and reproduce His character in you. God's character at work in you looks like:
LOVE: This is God's agape, love that selflessly seeks the highest good of the other person.
JOY: Joy as a fruit of the Spirit is a settled confidence because God controls the details of your life, you can trust Him in any circumstance
PEACE: The unshakable, inner calm you experience when your mind and heart are at rest because you are trusting fully in Christ.
PATIENCE: A fruit of the Spirit that means to be "long-tempered," the opposite of short-fused irritability.
KINDNESS: The Spirit's fruit that braids mercy and grace, humility and gentleness all together.
Remember, Be God Controlled!
Brian
Great post! It's a wonderful reminder that the Lord is not waiting for us to impress Him with our best performance. He simply desires us to learn just to abide in Him. No wonder He proclaimed "Come to me every one who is burdened and weighed down... and I will give you rest..." The person who has learned how to rest in His Love is the person who will turn out to be His most passionate servants!
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