Today's Reading: Luke 6
Today's Focus: Vs. 43-45
This is the infamous season where people say things like, "It's the holiday season. Gotta be extra nice. It's the time to be generous."
But the rest of the year, you can be a jerk and selfish in not sharing... right? The time between Thanksgiving to New Year is where people "fake it to make it." For those who follow Christ and have been raised from their sin, we cannot join with the crowd.
Can my pepper plant "fake" a tomato fruit? It might look like a tomato, but I wouldn't give it to my children because I know that it is still a pepper! Likewise, my tomato plant cannot produce a pepper pod. Yet these two plants grow side by side. How do I know which plant is which? I judge it by its fruit.
People often quote verse 37, "Judge not, and you will not be judged..." but forget the verses right after it speaking about how a "tree is known by its own fruit." Yes. We are called to judge one another!
I strongly urge you to go beyond the silly "Christmas spirit" and live with the Christ Spirit.
While the rest of the world plays nice for a month and practice charity, hospitality, kindness, etc... let us show them what the actual Fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23) look like both "in and out of season" (2 Tim 4:2).
Jesus' stern words from the next verse ought to cut deep into our hearts: "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and not do what I tell you?"
Those who acknowledge Jesus as Savior must also acknowledge Him as Lord. He has saved us so that we may walk in obedience.
For starters, first memorize what are the characteristics of this Fruit of the Spirit, then ask Him earnestly to produce that in your life.
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