Fruit For The Kingdom

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. (John 15:4)

"A church in the land without the Spirit is rather a curse than a blessing. If you have not the Spirit of God, Christian worker, remember that you stand in somebody else's way; you are a fruitless tree standing where a fruitful tree might grow."

These words from Charles Spurgeon are harsh -- even insulting to some. But consider the logic.

Suppose you owned an apple orchard and your livelihood depended on its output. But several trees produce either highly inferior fruit or no fruit at all. What would you do to correct the problem? Would you keep the useless trees around for old time's sake, or would you cut them down and replace them with new, vital saplings?

God's solution is simplicity itself. "Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire." (Matthew 7:19)

A Christian worker lacking the Spirit of God within him is a burden to the Kingdom, even an obstacle. He may teach incorrect doctrine, neglect to witness, or cancel out the work of a "good tree" by adding legalisms to the Word (Remember the Pharisees?). The Christian worker lacking in Spirit juts out like a fruitless branch among God's orchard of plenty.

A Christian must not be content to sit and rest on his salvation. If he is truly saved and loves Jesus, he will be on fire to serve God and his fellow man.

Beware the Christian who is content to remain idle and in whom the Spirit does not abide. Not only is he a hindrance to the children of God, he is also likely become the devil's handmaiden.

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Ed Price spent 35 years in print and broadcast journalism. He is author of 15 books. After becoming an ordained minister he settled with his wife on a farm in the mountains of Southwest Virginia, to study God's word and to write. Ed and Patty are the parents of three girls, have one grandchild, and cater to the every whim of two spoiled cats.
© 2008 Ed Price - All rights reserved. Visit his website, The Loving Heart.

This column is used with permission.