There is a big correlation between a healthy spiritual life and productivity just like there is between a grape vine and the grape's she produces. How do you know as a Christian that you are making progress or growing? It is by the fruit you produce.
Healthy spiritual growth makes us fruit-bearing Christians. Jesus passionately explained to his disciples in John 15:1-2 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful."
When Adam disobeyed God and ate the fruit of the forbidden tree, he was disconnected from God. When Jesus died, he provided us path back to re-connection. The re-connection happens when we accept Christ in our hearts.
Everyone who genuinely receives Christ is reconnected to God. Jesus explained here using the vine. He is the vine, our re-connection to Him makes us the branches.
Isn't it sweet news that for 24 hours we are connected to God?
Our primary call is to bear forth fruit in the kingdom. John 15
8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
Every Christian should have as life's greatest pursuit, glorifying the Father. But what gets the Father off His feet is a child that pleases Him. Jesus said the Father is excited when we bear fruit.
That fruit is living in His word and bringing others to God.
There is no way to do this than by dwelling in His word. John 15
4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
By The Word of God
The primary key to a spiritually healthy life is the Word of God. 1Peter 2:1Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. 2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good."
Every new baby in Christian like a natural baby needs pure milk to grown. The pure word of God is the only source of continuity of your spiritual life.
What role does the Word of God play in our spiritual fitness?
a. Highest Authority
The word of God is God. It holds the highest consideration in our thought, our conduct, our reactions and our beliefs. For a Christian, no matter your worries and fears, you need to come to a place where God is the authority in all things.
If the opinion and philosophy of men or our personal experiences are placed over God's Word, we cannot live healthy spiritual lives. That's why it is called faith.
b. Received Wholeheartedly
Receiving God should be wholeheartedly. That's the only way to benefit from it. Nobody who has received the word of God haphazardly has made any progress.
Inconsistency is equally sabotaging. Faith comes by hearing, and the word "hearing" is a present continues participle. That's means, the act is continues, not just a one time thing.
c. Trust It
All Scripture is inspired or God-breadth. Meaning every part and portion of Scripture was sort of put in the mind to be added as part of the Holy Word of God. This includes bad incidences, ungodly practices, tragic stories, brutal , horrible wicked people, God's judgement as well as prosperity, godliness, peace and the triumph of faith.
God decided all should be part of Scripture.
He did not sanction ungodly acts and corrupt practices but allowed it to be added to approved Word of God.
Therefore, you cannot pick and choose. You can't decide which to honour and which not to honour. You cannot accept blessing ignore the angry side of God. You have to trust all of Scripture because there is instruction, correction, guidance, encouragement and it is food for your spirit.
d. Practice It
The lessons from the word of God are for application. God's word has three layers of discernment.
i. Knowledge
It is important to know what God's word says. You get that by reading all of it. Reading just a select few passages is not enough. Leaving it to your pastor, priest or rabbi to read it on your behalf is also wrong. Read the bible yourself. Through it you observe a lot of things, people and lessons you never knew are in there.
ii. Interpretation
Interpreting scripture requires spending more time with it for it is worth it. In interpreting, you observe who is talking, to who, and about what? You observe background facts, cultures and the entire context of the story.
In doing this, the Holy Spirit inspires and reveals hidden truths. Right there understanding comes. Light is shed in your heart and you see the truth hidden within events and stories.
ii. Application
The third and most important thing about God's word is its application. Application is using the truth revealed as you interpret. There is no use understanding God if we don't intend to live by it.
God's words are neither opinions, philosophies nor pieces of advice. God's words are final truth.
Once understanding comes, we live by that understanding. And you begin to influence other lives bringing them to God.
God bless you.
David Pam McQuel
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