October 1, 2023
Topic: APPOINTED TO BEAR FRUITS”
Text: Ephesians 4:17-24
Memory Verse: You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that
whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you (John 15:16)
One characteristic of living things is growth and bearing fruits is a sign of growth. When a child is born, we feed the child and do everything to encourage the child to grow. It becomes alarming and discouraging if after all our efforts, the grow the of the child is stunted.
As believers, we are born as babes into God’s family at the New Birth. As we feed on and digest the word of God through personal study and fellowship with others, we grow and bear fruits, becoming more and more like Jesus. However, many of us seem to feed on the word but because we fail to internalize it (digest), the word does not find expression in us. We continue in our old, fallen nature, making excuses to continue in it instead of putting it off (Ephesians 4:22). By so doing, we fail to be true witnesses of Jesus who has called us to fellowship with Him in righteousness and true holiness.
Songs of Solomon 2:15 talks about the ‘little foxes’ that spoil the vines and Paul warned the Galatian Church about the ‘little leaven’ of corruption of the faith (Galatians 5:9). Leaven (yeast) was not allowed in the ‘holy bread’ used for special offerings. Even a hint of it will ruin the whole batch, making it unsuitable for use. In the same way, that ‘small fault’ can make a believer useless in the service of God.
These ‘little things’ may appearing consequential however, if we do not deal with them urgently, they stunt our spiritual growth and ability to bear fruits, making us unfit for the Master’s use. We may attempt to cover up these ‘faults’ by attending church
programs and ‘serving’ in various capacities or being ‘generous’ in our giving to the work of the Lord but because of the ‘leaven’ in our lives, these things amount to ‘dead works’ for which we cannot expect a reward. For the next two weeks we will be examining some of these ‘little foxes’ and ‘leaven’ under the lenses of scriptures and asking God to help us deal with them so that our lives can be pleasing to Him and we can be all He fashioned us to be.
Prayer: My Father in heaven, open my eyes to see myself as you see me. Uncover the leaven that has been introduced into my life and help me to deal with it without excuses. In Jesus’ name. Amen