Devo Week 35

Rooted in Christ -- Quality vs. Quantity 

Just as fire burns up stubble, so God's presence consumes all that is not of Him within us. (I Cor. 3:13) Our God is called a 'consuming fire.' (Heb. 12:29, Deut. 4:24) His fire reveals what's inside us -- our roots, our motivations, our attitudes, and for whose glory we live. Fiery trials of circumstances often test the quality of our fruit. (I Peter 4:12) All that is pure will be refined, while all that is impure will suffer loss. (I Peter 1:6-7)

Key Concept: Fruit that Remains

Thailand has an abundance of fruit. Some glorious, some not so much, depending upon your taste. Durian, for example, is affectionately named 'stink fruit' and often forbidden inside public venues. Mangoes, on the other hand, are like leftovers from the Garden of Eden. They are welcomed everywhere and served in every way, from freshly peeled to salad toppings and desserts with coconut milk and ice cream. Fruit shared together is a joyous occasion in any culture.

Like natural fruit, there is spiritual fruit that is nourishing and pleasant tasting for all nations. This spiritual fruit, sometimes referred to as the 'nature of Jesus,' includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control. (Gal. 5:22-23) Fruit that is Jesus’ nature will remain, the kind with which we desire to fill the whole earth.

As discussed in Devotionals 26 and 27, the seed is the Gospel, and the soil is the culture and people groups. Roots anchor the plant in the soil and determine its fruit. Our fruit reveals whether we are rooted in Christ. The fruit may be different in type but will reveal the life of Christ within each person or people.

Either our fruit will be consistent with the fruit of the Spirit or the fruit of the flesh. The Pharisees and Sadducees, for example, did not produce the right fruit. (Matthew 16:11-12) Jesus searched for expressions of God's heart in them but found little. Their fruit was religious: a great danger for those who are involved in the work of God.

The life of Christ springs from being 'rooted in His love, receiving it and sharing it.' (Eph. 3:16-19) When His life is cultivated in us, the fruit of the Kingdom remains and brings blessing to all nations. (Matt. 21:43)

Key Word Definition: adversity (noun)

-- a very difficult or unfavorable situation

-- a condition marked by misfortune, calamity, or distress

Excerpt from Devotional 35 with highlighted word:

"As followers of Christ, we are to be first concerned with the unseen – the spiritual realm. (II Cor. 4:16-18) For that which is unseen will eventually be brought into light, especially during times of adversity. Our fruit (that which is seen) will then give testimony to whether we have been rooted in Christ or in rituals."

Scripture: Colossians 1:28

“He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ.”