Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Bearing Fruit

DaveE is right. My analogy of the good fruit breaks down in this context. I had used it because our good Lord used it. God enjoys good fruit.
He may, yes, but Jesus means fruit in the terms of actions in our lives, not the lives themselves. You know a tree by its fruit, bad trees do not bear good fruit.* If you abide in Him, good fruit you will bear. But in terms of lives, it is not for the goodness of the fruit that God chooses it.
So also, for the idea of predestination, DaveE is right, my analogy is misplaced. It broke down rather quickly. I knew it would, but thanks DaveE for bringing it to the fore.
More on fruit in a moment.

Yes, perhaps predestination is too broad a subject for even a few posts, heaven knows there have been volumes on it. I would say it warrants its own blog, but I don't think it is quite that pivotal. Christians have lived and died it never crossing their horizons.

But it is to be said, the Bible does say that God chooses us, and yet that we have free will. It is a mystery of God, one that Man will discuss till we meet the One that planned it. And perhaps even then. "The human mind hungers for mystery. Always feed it mystery," the wise men say. The great mysteries of God are blessings in themselves. They lead us to contemplate His Wonders and immensity, to debate with one another and discuss and in so doing, relate and ponder together. " 'Come now, let us reason together,' says the Lord" **
It is good to contemplate the Lord and it is His good pleasure for us to do so.

Now for the fruit.
What kind of fruit will we bear? First if we are of the Tree that gives life, that is Christ, we need be ready to suffer the discipline of the Lord, God. He will prune all that isn't good from you. All things that are not of and for Him must therefore go. And I would gladly that it be so. The branches that are allowed to bear fruit, the fruit will be seed bearing. We must not try to pluck it ourselves. We cannot use it or give it away till the time and the fruit are ripe. Fruit not yet ripe is sour.
Let God's timing be His timing. Don't be anxious. Let the Harvester do His work when He sees it is good to do so. It may bear 10, 30, or 60 times its yield.
What fruits of the spirit are we to expect? Galatians 5:22-23
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."

There are more of course, mercy, charity, among others. They are strewn throughout the Bible like diamonds. Read well.


*A note on fruits: I have had Mormons ask why I contend with them, do I not see good fruit in them?
One, good fruit alone is not enough. Many have good fruit, and bless them for it. But your actions are not what save you. Salvation is a gift from God alone, and that from His liberality, no more. He chooses you, not because you are worthy, but because He wants you.
Two, which fruits you produce are also telling. Fig trees do not produce apples. Joseph Smith claimed he was a prophet. The fruit of prophets are prophesies. His prophesies did not come to pass - even if 99% percent did (which did not. Only about 9%), God demands 100%. Smith proved to be a false prophet. That is bad fruit indeed.

** Isaiah 1:18-20
" 'Come now, let us reason together,'
says the LORD.
'Though your sins are like scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red as crimson,
they shall be like wool.
If you are willing and obedient,
you will eat the best from the land;
but if you resist and rebel,
you will be devoured by the sword.'
For the mouth of the LORD has spoken."

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