Make Your Life Count for the Good
So every good tree bears good fruit,
but the bad tree bears bad fruit.
Matthew 7:17
People with a purpose live differently than those who meander along without one. Christians have a common purpose, to glorify God. How they do this involves living in the Spirit and developing a sensitivity to God's ways. This leads to fruitful living.
EVERY LIFE has potential. What an individual chooses to do with their life is up to them, barring outside manipulation, control, misfortune, or unwanted circumstances. Life can be lived for the better good. That happens when the person desires and determines to live in such a way. It is not as easy as it sounds. We can be our own worst enemy.
Humans are born with a self-centered bent that requires managing. Scripture calls this the flesh. The flesh seeks its own and has lusts it wants to feed. Christians also have the spirit in them. The things of the flesh and the things of the spirit are oppositional in nature. Only one of these controls the person at any given time. The flesh is the default position. Even though the Spirit lives within the Christian, it is not given free access until the person aligns with it. This requires intentionality.
The Spirit dwells in the Christian. Their lives, with both flesh and spirit influences, means there is going to be spiritual conflict. Whichever one receives the focus will influence their thoughts and actions. Of course, anyone can do good and make their life count without being a Christian, that's a given. The person focused on Christ and open to the Spirit lives in a way that is becoming to their Lord. Their life becomes a reflection of Christ both inwardly and outwardly.
The Spirit leads and guides in a multiplicity of ways. Christians can't help but bear good fruit when they're attached to things of God. You can know them by their deeds, conversation, and also, consequently, by their fruit. Often their fruit is produced behind the scenes and is not overtly visible unless you look for it, for they do their alms for God, not for human praise. So we could say, they are also known for their humbleness of spirit.
Dear Father, Thank you for giving us the tools to live the life You've called us to. We couldn't do it without Your enabling. Blessed be the name of the Lord. Amen
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