Fruit Bearing

​Here’s a nightmare!  If we don’t spiritually invest in the generations that follow us who will rise up willing to carry the torch of Christ?  A self-centered spiritual body is an embarrassment to the throne of the One who so loved THE WORLD—past, present and future!

Meditation
Psalm 71:18--Even when I am old and gray, God, do not abandon me. Then I will proclaim Your power to another generation, Your strength to all who are to come.
 
Colonel R. inspires me.  He has an uncommon passion in an occupation that can easily become self-serving.  He identifies those under his command who show promise two or more ranks below him and then works with diligence to groom them for greater responsibility and reward.  Conceptually we call this mentoring.  Col. R is passionate about the future—one in which he will be retired. Why?  Because he cares about his nation and he wants to leave a legacy that surpasses his own name.  

Good fruit never occurs haphazardly.  It comes intentionally.  You and I have the opportunity to bear fruit!  Some God-followers shirk the responsibility of passing what they’ve learned to others.  The excuses range from fear of ineptitude to busyness.  But you and I cannot afford to find reason not to invest spiritually in the lives of the generations that follow us.  Just as I dare not neglect the spiritual training of my children so you too, whether you are married or single, cannot afford to let those lessons the Holy Spirit has engraved on your heart die like some forgotten blackboard lesson in a boarded up schoolhouse.  

Let us declare with motivation, truth and simplicity all that we can about our awesome God to those who are younger.  To bear good fruit takes more than leading someone through some check-the-block six-week instructional program.  It is more than once-a-week coffee get-togethers with the gang.  It requires deed, character, attitude, word and faithfulness that naturally teaches and models what it means to follow Jesus in this day-to-day living we call LIFE.  

What is the test of effective fruit-bearing?  The generation we invest in invests in the next generation . . . “And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2).  Are you bearing fruit or hardening on the vine?
 
Inspiration
Fruit-bearing is always mentioned as the manifestation of an intimate union with Jesus Christ.—Oswald Chambers in Studies in the Sermon on the Mount
 
©2000 Daniel York  ARR. Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  If you would like to receive these devotionals go to www.firstcause.org and click on the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.      
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)