The fruit of a real Christian

The fruit of a real Christian
 S- Luke 3:7-14 (NASB)

 ⁷ So he began saying to the crowds who were going out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? ⁸ Therefore bear fruits in keeping with repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father,’ for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children to Abraham. ⁹ Indeed the axe is already laid at the root of the trees; so every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”
 ¹⁰ And the crowds were questioning him, saying, “Then what shall we do?” ¹¹ And he would answer and say to them, “The man who has two tunics is to share with him who has none; and he who has food is to do likewise.” ¹² And some tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” ¹³ And he said to them, “Collect no more than what you have been ordered to.” ¹⁴ Somesoldiers were questioning him, saying, “And what about us, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Do not take money from anyone by force, or accuse anyone falsely, and be content with your wages.”


O - John the Baptist began truly to make way for the Lord by already preaching the Gospel and giving a picture for everyone of the life one who has salvation and reconciliation with God would live their life.  Though the people of Israel were a chosen people, and had a religion set up based on the promise to Abraham, and the commandments given to Noah, they still strayed away from God and His ways for man.  What John preached here is that God's people would be known by their fruit not by there family upbringing, or religious practices.  He exampled  the fruit in terms of their actions: generosity, abundance mindset, fairness and followers of the truth,  kindness and gentleness.


A - The application for me is to recognize that the fruit of a christian is the same as that of those who had not yet know Christ back in the days of John the Baptist.  Galatians 5:22-23 list the fruit of the spirit as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control.  These are the things I am to measure my fullness of faith and obedience to Christ.


P -  Dear heavenly father, thank you for today's devotion may it be sealed to my heart.  I pray Lord you would help me example the fruits in my own life, and make adjustments where needed to fully live the live that you designed me to live, and that is pleasing to you.  I pray all this in Jesus name, Amen.