God put us here to bear fruit—to make an impact, to nourish and sweeten the world around us. Are you doing that? Does your life bear fruit?
In Luke 13, Jesus tells a story about fruit.
“And He began telling this parable: ‘A man had a fig tree which had been planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and did not find any. And he said to the vineyard-keeper, ‘Behold, for three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree without finding any. Cut it down! Why does it even use up the ground?’ And he answered and said to him, ‘Let it alone, sir, for this year too, until I dig around it and put in fertilizer; and if it bears fruit next year, fine; but if not, cut it down’” Luke 13:6-9.
God expects you to bear fruit. Do you? He is merciful. He will prune you (which hurts), He will water and fertilize. But He expects you to grow some fruit.
Invite people to church.
Ask your friends about their faith and their beliefs (learn how to ask deep, open-ended questions!).
Bring up spiritual matters and see where the conversation goes.
Pray for your friends and family (prayer always bears fruit).
Read and study the Word; Bible study always bears fruit.
Flee youthful lust. Sin rots fruit.
Thank God for His mercy, for pruning, and for His patience. Ask Him to change you and make you more fruitful. Ask Him to send opportunities your way, and to help you see them and respond well.
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