By Francis Frangipane
How
does God expect to use us to reach people? A key is seen in the book of
Genesis. In the Garden of Eden the Lord created trees with seed in the
fruit. Remember this always: the power to reproduce is in the seed and the seed is in our fruit.
For fruit to be edible, it cannot be bitter or hard. Indeed, fruit that
is bitter is immature or worse, poison. Our fruit must be soft and
sweet, and supernatural.
Thus, if you desire to see the
reality of God reproduced in your loved ones and friends, set your
heart to walk in the fruit of the Spirit. The power of reproduction is
in the seed, and the seed is in your fruit. And should you sin or
stumble, which we all do at times, repent both to God and to those you
have sinned against. A sincere repentance to an unsaved person is a sure
sign the presence of God is in your life.
Parents:
do you want your children raised for Christ? Walk, then, in the fruit
of the Holy Spirit. As your children are nourished by the fruit in your
life, the seeds within your fruitfulness will regenerate the same
qualities in your loved ones.
Beloved, the strategy to
win our neighbors is to love our neighbors. Let us, therefore, walk in
the fruit of the Spirit, in "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, [and] self-control" (Gal. 5:22).
Those who know you will find themselves drawn to the life of Christ
within you. For through the fruit in your life they will see the holy
influence of Jesus. The seed to reproduce is in your fruit.
Adapted from Francis Frangipane's book, "Holiness, Truth and the Presence of God" available at www.arrowbookstore.com.
