“SOW for yourselves righteousness; REAP in mercy; BREAK UP YOUR FALLOW (unproductive) GROUND, for it is time to seek the LORD, Till He comes and RAINS RIGHTEOUSNESS on you.” (Hosea 10:12) It is true, the fruit of the Spirit that forms in us as believers, is an expression of God’s mercy and grace, working IN and THROUGH our lives, for Jesus said, “without Me you can DO NOTHING.” (John 15:5) But a Christian who has become LUKEWARM (that’s the fallow ground) and careless towards God or one that DOUBTS the truth of His Word needs to, “break up the fallow ground.” He needs to revisit God’s Word of truth and to ROOT–OUT WEEDS of bitterness, legalism, unforgiveness, unbelief, disinterest, or distrust, so that the seeds of righteousness sown in our hearts can take root, as we GROW IN GRACE, to the glory of our merciful God.
Jesus said, “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless YOU ABIDE (menō: to continue to be present) IN ME…If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered…If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ASK WHAT YOU DESIRE, and IT SHALL BE DONE for you.” (John 15:1-7) Abiding is OBEYING, LOVING and DOING what the Lord requires of us…
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham