SPIRITUAL FRUIT IS A WITNESS THAT YOU ARE SPIRITUALLY ALIVE!

THE HUSBANDMAN AND CAREGIVER: MAKES YOU INTO A WITNESS THROUGH SPIRITUAL FRUIT!

“... I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.  I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love...” (John 15:1-10 KJV).

*

If God has restored your ability to choose to respond freely to his truth, like Lydia, then it’s YOU and not God creating the distance. “... A woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics, a worshiper of God, was listening; and the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul” (Acts 14:16 NASB). “…[You choose] ... this day whom ye will serve….” (Joshua 24:15 KJV).

It is easy to judge God for everything that goes wrong in life, but you are finite and God is infinite. You can’t always understand his supernatural, loving, and divine ways “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? Or who hath been his counsellor?” (Romans 11:33-34 KJV).

God does things from a Holy perspective and not a human one. Many things God does makes no sense to the human understanding. “...[His] ways are higher than your ways [and His] thoughts than your ways...” (Isaiah 55:9 KJV).

A relationship with God will always take you BEYOND human understanding. “…NOW UNTO HIM THAT IS ABLE to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or THINK, according to the power that worketh in us…” (Ephesians 3:20 KJV).  YET, “... continue ... in my love...” (John 15:1-10 KJV).

God does not want his relationship with you to be limited by human, finite understanding. The bible says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight (human understanding). In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

When God makes no “human” sense Jesus says, “…..be not afraid….only believe” (Mark 5:36 KJV). “... continue ... in my love...” (John 15:1-10 KJV).

When God works in your life or answers your prayers in questionable ways, your human understanding can often limit or hinder you if you allow it to. “...Now unto him who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh within us…” (Ephesians 3:20 KJV).

Sometimes you must, “…only believe” (Mark 5:36 KJV). And except “…his ways [are]… past finding out…” (Romans 11:33-34 KJV).

You won’t always humanly understand his Holy ways nor what he may be preparing for your life. It takes trust in, dependency upon, and cooperation with the power of his Word. “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them who love Him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9 KJV).

Everything God does or allows is LOVING, holy and righteous whether you agree or not. “... continue ... in my love...” (John 15:1-10 KJV). “… I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven… Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever. His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation…Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. …” (Daniel 4 NIV).

Therefore, if God allowed for mankind to freely choose to respond or answer life as he/she pleases, it is God’s prerogative and no one else’s. “…[You choose] ... this day whom ye will serve….” (Joshua 24:15 KJV).

God says he created evil. He created YOU. You are not evil per se, but your ability to choose to respond to life, as you please, through human will, with a sinful nature, and an evil heart, often leads to evil conduct or decisions. “…out of the heart come evil thoughts… (Matthew 15:19). “…When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality (etc.)…anyone living that sort of life WILL NOT inherit the Kingdom of God. …” (Galatians 5:22-23 NLT). “But the people replied, “Don’t waste your breath. We will continue to live as we want to, stubbornly following our own evil desires…” (JEREMIAH 18:12 NLT).

Evil, therefore, is not simply a person or a thing; it is the absence of God. An evil heart is absent of God, the Holy Spirit.

Adam and Eve ate the apple, the relationship between them and God changed, and immediately their “eyes were opened,” to the ABSENCE of GOD, the Holy Spirit.

God said, they would surely die. “... THE DAY THAT THOU EATEST thereof THOU SHALT SURELY DIE…” (Genesis 2:16-17 KJV). “.... At that moment their eyes were opened…” (Genesis 3:1-7 NLT).  “…[Their] ...INIQUITIES … separated … [them from] ... God [the Holy Spirit of LIFE]…” (Isaiah 59:2 KJV).  They became “…DEAD in trespasses and sin…” (Ephesians 2:1 KJV).

As you can see, immediate death was not, simply, a physical death where the soul is separated from the body, but it was the spiritual death where the “Holy Spirit” is separated from the soul within the body.

God said, “….let us make man in our image, after our likeness…” (Genesis 1:26 KJV).  “…..God created man in his own image…..male and female created he them…” (Genesis 1:27 KJV). HOW? “….God formed man of the dust of the ground (body), and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (Spirit); and man became a living soul (soul)…” (Genesis 2:7 KJV). When “….God saw every thing he had made……and, [said] … it was VERY GOOD…” (Genesis 1:31 KJV).

However, “…through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death passed to all men—“(Romans 5:12 KJV). “… One sinner destroy[ed]… MUCH good…” (Ecclesiastes 9:18 NASB).

“...The lord is GOOD…there is none good but one, that is, God” (Nahum 1:7 & Mark 10:18 KJV). “..O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is GOOD...” (1 Chronicles16:34 KJV). “… One sinner destroy[ed]… MUCH good…” (Ecclesiastes 9:18 NASB).

Two things happened:  “… [Their] … iniquities (sin) …separated [them]… from God (the breath of LIFE)…” (Isaiah 59:2 KJV). “…[They became] ... DEAD in trespasses and sin…” (Ephesians 2:1 KJV).

Adam and Eve had a body, soul, and Spirit, but the Spirit separated. “….let us make man in our image, after our likeness…” (Genesis 1:26 KJV).  “…..God created man in his own image…..male and female created he them…” (Genesis 1:27 KJV). “….God formed man of the dust of the ground (body), and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (Spirit); and man became a living soul (soul)…” (Genesis 2:7 KJV).

“….let us make man in our image, after our likeness…” (Genesis 1:26 KJV). They were originally created in God’s “image”, which is SPIRIT. “…God is not human …” (Numbers 23:19 NIV). “…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV). “…the Spirit of God dwell in you (dwelt in Adam and Eve)…” (Romans 8:9 KJV).

 However, they became SEPARATED from the SPIRIT and were reduced to a sin nature (body and soul).  A sin nature falls short of the glory of God (his presence) or is separated from the indwelling Holy Spirit. All humanity is born with the same problem. “…the wages of sin (payment for having a sin nature) is death…” (Romans 6:23 KJV). “…For all have sinned (all have been born with a sin nature)…” (Romans 3:23 KJV). “…all have ... come short of the glory of God (all are born WITHOUT the indwelling Holy Spirit)…” (Romans 3:23 KJV).

"…That which is born of the flesh is flesh…” (John 3:6 KJV). “….I was born a sinner (I was born without the indwelling Holy Spirit)—yes, from the moment my mother conceived me….” (Psalms 51:5 NLT). 

Your soul is a dead soul, trapped within the prison of the flesh, when God’s Holy Spirit is not present. Sinners are “…DEAD “IN” trespasses and sin (the sin nature)...” (Ephesians 2:1 KJV).

Sinners are“…separated from the LIFE of God… (the spiritual life of God)...” (Ephesians 4:18 NIV). “…It is the SPIRIT (the Holy Spirit) who gives LIFE…” (John 6:63 NASB). Before sinners are SAVED “…[THEY are] ... DEAD in [their]... transgressions and sins (within the sinful nature)…” (Ephesians 2:1 NIV).

“…[Believers]... were dead in [their] sins and ... [NOW]…God made [them]... ALIVE with Christ. He forgave [them]… all [their]… sins…” (Colossians 2:13 NIV). God “….made [believers]… ALIVE with Christ …when [believers]… were DEAD in transgressions…” (Ephesians 2:5 NIV). 

“….and man became a living soul (again)…” (Genesis 2:7 KJV).

Like the prodigal son, “… [THEY were]…. DEAD and [they have been made]… ALIVE AGAIN; [they were]… lost and [have been]… found…” (Luke 15:24 NIV).

If you were made “ALIVE AGAIN” you were DEAD. The soul was a DEAD soul. “….God formed man of the dust of the ground (body), and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (Spirit); and man became A "LIVING" SOUL (soul)…” (Genesis 2:7 KJV).

Adam and Eve BECAME “LIVING” souls AFTER God breathed into their nostrils the “breath of LIFE.”

The appetites of the flesh, now the sin nature, had its effects or influences on the dead soul. It is evident how the dead soul once LIVED. “….YOU USED TO LIVE in sin , just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations (effects) of our sinful nature. ….just like everyone else…” (Ephesian 2:2-3 NLT).

Spiritually DEAD souls express the sinful nature. “…The sin of my SOUL…” (Micah 6:7 KJV).

The spiritually DEAD soul is heavily affected by carnality. “….When you follow the desires (influences) of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life WILL NOT inherit the Kingdom of God. …” (Galatians 5:22-23 NLT).

God, through the GIFT of Salvation restores the DEAD soul from the bondage of SIN, “…He restoreth my SOUL…” (Psalm 23 KJV). “…The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the SOUL…” (Psalm 19 NASB). “IN” Christ your DEAD soul has been restored and made “ALIVE AGAIN.” (Luke 15:24 NIV).

HOW? “…It is the SPIRIT who gives LIFE…” (John 6:63 NASB). “……God made you ALIVE with Christ. He forgave [you]… all [your]… sins…” (Colossians 2:13 NIV). “…he that is joined unto the Lord (Jesus) is ONE spirit… [with God again]” (1 Corinthians 6:17 KJV).“…. old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV).

When you blow up a balloon it is full of air, but if you let the air out, the balloon becomes deflated. The balloon is still available for use, but is useless or dead until someone chooses to fill it up again.

God told Adam and Eve they would “surely die” “... THE DAY THAT THOU EATEST thereof THOU SHALT SURELY DIE…” (Genesis 2:16-17 KJV).

Their “spiritual balloon” per se became immediately deflated. “…[Their] ...INIQUITIES … separated … [them from] ... God [the Holy Spirit or the breath of LIFE]…” (Isaiah 59:2 KJV).

Therefore, just like Adam and Eve, every man or woman born, into the world, without God’s Holy Spirit is spiritually dead or deflated.  “…For all have sinned (all have been born with a sin nature)…” (Romans 3:23 KJV). “…all have ... come short of the glory of God (all are born WITHOUT the indwelling Holy Spirit)…” (Romans 3:23 KJV).“….I was born a sinner—yes, from the moment my mother conceived me….” (Psalms 51:5 NLT).

When God’s Holy Spirit is not present, you are born with ONLY a sin nature. “….I was born a sinner—yes, from the moment my mother conceived me….” (Psalms 51:5 NLT).

God is “spiritual life” and anyone separated from God is “…dead in trespasses and sin (IN that sin nature)...” (Ephesians 2:1 KJV). “…For all have sinned (all have been born with a sin nature)…” (Romans 3:23 KJV). ).“….I was born a sinner—yes, from the moment my mother conceived me….” (Psalms 51:5 NLT).

However, like a balloon can be filled with air again, spiritual death can be reversed when you accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. “...For Christ also died for sins ONCE for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit ...” (1 Peter 3:18 NASB). “…It is the SPIRIT who gives LIFE…” (John 6:63 NASB). “……God made you ALIVE with Christ. He forgave [you]… all [your]… sins…” (Colossians 2:13 NIV). God makes you spiritually “…alive with Christ…” (Colossians 2:13 NIV).

There is nothing you can do on your own to be restored to the original wholeness or reverse spiritual death; only God’s mercy and grace can save you through Jesus (Titus 3:5). “… [YOUR] … iniquities (sin) …separated ... [YOU]… from God… …” (Isaiah 59:2 KJV). “…Confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and … BELIEVE IN THINE HEART that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be SAVED…” (ROMANS 10:9 KJV). “…Jesus Christ maketh thee whole (RESTORES YOU AGAIN)…” (Acts 9:34 KJV). NLT). “…The GIFT of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ ….” (Romans 6:23 KJV). “… [He sent the] …one … who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus…” (1 Timothy 2:5 NLT).

God spent the whole Old Testament trying to restore the relationship with his people through prophetic messages and warnings. “… my people would not listen to me. They kept doing whatever they wanted, following the stubborn desires of their evil hearts. They went backward instead of forward” (Jeremiah 7:24 NLT). “... the people replied, “Don’t waste your breath. We will continue to live as we want to, stubbornly following our own evil desires” (JEREMIAH 18:12 NLT). “...continue .. in my love...” (John 15:1-10 KJV).

“…Jeremiah, say to the people, ‘This is what the Lord says: “‘When people fall down, don’t they get up again? When they discover they’re on the wrong road, don’t they turn back? Then why do these people stay on their self-destructive path? Why do the people of Jerusalem refuse to turn back They cling tightly to their lies and will not turn around. I listen to their conversations and don’t hear a word of truth. Is anyone sorry for doing wrong? Does anyone say, “What a terrible thing I have done”? No! All are running down the path of sin as swiftly as a horse galloping into battle! Even the stork that flies across the sky knows the time of her migration, as do the turtledove, the swallow, and the crane. They all return at the proper time each year. But not my people!... they have rejected the word of the Lord... they [are not] ... so wise after all? ...” (Jeremiah 8:20 NLT). “...continue ... in my love...” (John 15:1-10 KJV).

The people didn’t continue in God’s love. They chose to respond in ways that created distance or exile between themselves and God, the Holy Spirit. “… you hypocrites ...This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me” (Mark 7:6 KJV).  “…for thy heart is not right in the sight of God…” (Acts 8:21 KJV).

In spite of their discontinuance in his love, his faithful love continued and he would rescue them over and over again. “….If they sin against you—you might become angry with them and “let” their enemies conquer them and take them captive to their land far away or near…” (1 Kings 8:46 NLT). “…They defiled themselves by their evil deeds, and their love of idols was adultery in the Lord’s sight. That is why the Lord’s anger burned against his people, and he abhorred his own special possession. He handed them over to pagan nations, and they were ruled by those who hated them. Their enemies crushed them and brought them under their cruel power. Again and again he rescued them, but they chose to rebel against him, and they were finally destroyed by their sin…” (Psalm 106:39-43 NLT).

 “…. Again and again he rescued them, but they chose to rebel against him, and they were finally destroyed by their sin. Even so, he pitied them in their distress and listened to their cries. He remembered his covenant with them and relented because of his unfailing love. He even caused their captors to treat them with kindness. Save us, O Lord our God! Gather us back from among the nations, so we can thank your holy name and rejoice and praise you. Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, who lives from everlasting to everlasting! Let all the people say, “Amen!” Praise the Lord!” (Psalms 106:42-48 NLT). “…He remembered his covenant with them and relented because of his unfailing love…” (Psalms 106:42-48 NLT).

“…[In HIS] ... love and in His mercy He redeemed them (again)…” (Isaiah 63:9 NASB). “…I am the Lord, I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV). “...continue ye in my love...” (John 15:1-10 KJV).

CONTINUE IN GOD'S LOVE. HIS CARE, CULTIVATION, AND PRUNING WILL EMPOWER YOU TO PRODUCE SPIRITUAL FRUIT. IT IS THE SPIRITUAL FRUIT THAT MAKES YOU A WITNESS THAT YOU ARE, INDEED, SPIRITUALLY ALIVE!

THE WITNESS IS "IN" THE FRUIT!