Tag faith

Bearing Fruit: Pruning

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“Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth (prunes) it, that it may bring forth more fruit.” (John 15:2)

PRUNING for greater fruitfulness.
In grape production (viticulture), the vinedresser removes dead or unfruitful branches entirely to concentrate the vine’s energy to improve growth and health for greater productivity. This is not destruction but care. God actively tends His people for fruitfulness, accomplished primarily through His Word, all aimed at greater Christlikeness and productivity. From this verse in John 15 we see two actions being taken by the vinedresser (God the Father):

ONE: Branches that produce no fruit are removed. “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” (John 15:6). This is a warning about those who were “in me” but are not bearing fruit. We see other scriptures warning of this same condition; The parable of the Sower (Mark 4:13-20); the warning about false prophets (Matt 7:15-20); and the breaking off of branches (Romans 11:11-27). The possibility of apostasy is real.

TWO: The Father cleanses or prunes fruitful branches “that it may bring forth more fruit.” The goal is increase, not comfort—removing what hinders maximum productivity. Paul wrote about a similar “pruning” using the metaphor of “mortifying” and “putting off” the works of the world (Colossians 3:5-17).

The primary instrument of pruning Jesus says is the word, “Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you… If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you” (John 15:3, 7). Reading, applying, and obeying Scripture convicts, corrects, and trains (cf. 2Timothy 3:16-17).

Another way God prunes is through the trials that are in this world since the fall. “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing” (James 1:2-4). Trials test and develop endurance, leading to maturity (perfection). God has established principles in creation and redemption that automatically correct deviation (sowing and reaping, consequences of sin, Galatians 6:7). Any true understanding of discipline through trial comes from the revealed Word of God.

Hebrews 12 informs us that discipline is for our good, as a father who loves and disciplines his son. It’s considered loving to train a child. “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth” (Hebrews 12:6). God may use circumstances, but understanding flows from knowing His Word. God “prunes” for greater fruitfulness, because He loves us, for maturity, and to remove hindrances. We respond by abiding in Him (through His word), count trials as joy because of what it will produce in us, actively participate by removing sin & distractions, and fully trusting in God who wants us to be fully equipped for every good work. “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples” (John 15:8).

Agape
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Is the church of Christ a Cult?

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What is a cult?
A religion or religious sect generally considered to be extremist or false, with its followers often living in an unconventional manner under the guidance of an authoritarian, charismatic leader.
The followers of such a religion or sect.
A system or community of religious worship and ritual

Is the church of Christ a cult?
If following CHRIST as He commands is a cult… then we are part of it.
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:18-20)

If trying to UNDERSTAND the will of the Lord is a cult… then we are part of it.
“Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.” (Ephesians 5:17)

If LOVING Christ is a cult… then we are part of it.
“If you love me, keep my commands.” (John 14:15)
“In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome.” (1 John 5:3)

If TEACHING what Jesus taught is a cult… then we are part of it.
“Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.” (2 John 1:9)
Jesus commanded us to teach others to observe all that He commanded (Matthew 28:20).

We are not following the traditions of men, extra-biblical creeds, or the latest cultural trends. We are simply striving to be the church we read about in the New Testament—Christians who love Christ enough to obey Him, who respect the authority of Scripture, and who teach what the apostles taught.

If that makes us a “cult” in the eyes of some, so be it.

We would rather stand with Jesus and His word than compromise to gain the approval of the world. As for us and our house, we will serve the Lord by following Christ as He has revealed Himself in Scripture.

What about you? Are you following the commands of Christ, or the changing opinions of men?

agape,

spencer

What is Faith?

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When one understands that Faith is used in 5 ways in the scriptures they will have a complete understanding of what it means to be saved by faith.

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Belief comes from the FULL revealed word of God. (Jude 1:3; Rom 10:17) 

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it’s ACTIVE, (James 2:14-26)

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it INSISTS on remaining faithful. (Heb 11:35)

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it TRUSTS in the One who commands and works (Col 2:11-12). 

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it HOPES in a godly sort with assurance (Heb 6:19; 11:13-16). 

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faith is a full bodied word with rich depth, not the shallow kind of those who won’t obey. (James 2:19)

When the Bible says we’re saved by FAITH, we must remember these 5 senses of the word.

Heroes of Faith: The Resolve of Ruth

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But Ruth said: “Entreat me not to leave you, Or to turn back from following after you; For wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will lodge; Your people shall be my people, And your God, my God. Where you die, I will die, And there will I be buried. The LORD do so to me, and more also, If anything but death parts you and me.” (Ruth 1:16-17)

The story of Ruth is to me one of the most beautiful stories in the bible.

When Ben Franklin was in Paris, he would often converse with members of the ‘Infidels Club’, a group of philosophers who spurned the Bible. These intellectuals spent much of their time searching for and discussing masterpieces of literature and art. For his amusement, Ben Franklin announced that he found an ancient manuscript worthy of their consideration. “We must hear it!” they exclaimed.

Franklin then read to them The Book of Ruth, changing the names of the characters and locale so that it would not be recognized as a story from the Bible. When he was finished, the hearers were unanimous in their praise. “We have never heard anything like it”, they said. “It is one of the most touching stories we have ever heard. You must tell us where you found it!” You can imagine Franklin’s delight when he announced that it was a story from the Bible, the object of their ridicule and disapproval.

The Book of Ruth stands as a compelling example of why we read the Bible. We turn to Scripture to strengthen our faith and deepen our hope (Rom. 15:4). Through Ruth’s story, we learn about the steadfast resolve displayed by those who choose to follow the Lord (Ruth 1:16-17). The narrative also highlights the unique character and strong work ethic that mark individuals who remain faithful to God. “And Boaz answered and said to her, “It has been fully reported to me, all that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband, and how you have left your father and your mother and the land of your birth, and have come to a people whom you did not know before. “The LORD repay your work, and a full reward be given you by the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge.”” (Ruth 2:11-12).

Ruth further illustrates the blessing of trusting in God’s ways as revealed in His Word. This is powerfully demonstrated in chapter 3, when she carefully follows Naomi’s instructions concerning the law of redeeming an inheritance. In the end, we witness hope fulfilled and the great joy that awaits God’s children who live as faithful, trusting followers of Him.

“So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife; and when he went in to her, the LORD gave her conception, and she bore a son. Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the LORD, who has not left you this day without a close relative; and may his name be famous in Israel!” (Ruth 4:13-14)

Agape
Spencer

PS: At the close of the book, Ruth the Moabite widow is woven into the royal line of Israel. “Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse, and Jesse begot David the king.” (Matthew 1:5-6) 

All Spiritual Blessings in Christ: Prayer

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“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ” (Eph 1:3)

Prayer is one of those spiritual blessings enjoyed by those in a covenant relationship with God. Here are some passages about this spiritual blessing.

Prayer rejected due to sin
• Proverbs 28:9 “He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.”
• Isaiah 1:15 “When ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.”
• Micah 3:4 “Then shall they cry unto the LORD, but he will not hear them… as they have behaved themselves ill in their doings.”
• Zechariah 7:13 “Therefore it is come to pass, that as he cried, and they would not hear; so they cried, and I would not hear.”
• John 9:31 “Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.”

Hypocrisy / rebellion prevents prayer
• Proverbs 15:29 “The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.”
• Proverbs 21:27 “The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?”
• Psalm 66:18 “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.”
• James 4:3 “Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.”

Sin separates from God (prayer not heard)
• Isaiah 59:1–2 “Your iniquities have separated between you and your God… that he will not hear.”
• Jeremiah 11:11 “Though they shall cry unto me, I will not hearken unto them.”
• Jeremiah 14:12 “When they fast, I will not hear their cry… I will consume them.”
• 1 Peter 3:12 “The eyes of the Lord are over the righteous… but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.”

Obedience required for answered prayer
• 1 John 3:22 “Whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.”
• Hebrews 5:9 “He became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.”

Here’s the good news, God hears our prayers “IN CHRIST.” Because we have obeyed the Gospel through faith we have access to God through prayer. “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16; Eph 2:18; 3:12).

Agape
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Why some don’t Read the Bible

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Why don’t people read the Bible?

They DON’T like to read.

they’re APATHETIC & have unbelief

Not ENOUGH time to read.

They Reject it because it’s too REPULSIVE.

For a book that has shaped history, guided nations, and transformed lives, the Bible often sits unopened. The reasons are not always complex—but they are revealing.

First, some simply don’t like to read. In a fast-paced world driven by screens and short attention spans, reading itself feels like a chore. The Bible, with its length and depth, can seem especially intimidating. For those who already avoid reading, opening Scripture rarely becomes a priority.

“Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. (Matthew 22:29)

Others struggle with apathy and unbelief. If someone doubts the Bible’s relevance or truth, motivation quickly fades. It becomes easy to think, “It doesn’t apply to me,” or “I don’t believe it anyway.” This quiet indifference can be more powerful than outright rejection, because it removes any urgency to explore what the Bible actually says.

“He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.” (John 12:48)

A common excuse is lack of time. Life fills up with work, responsibilities, family, and constant distractions. Yet this reason often reveals more about priorities than availability. People tend to make time for what they value. When the Bible is seen as optional, it is often the first thing pushed aside.

“And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word,
And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.” (Mark 4:18)

Finally, some reject the Bible because they find it repulsive. Certain passages challenge modern values, confront personal behavior, present difficult truths, and in some cases are gruesome to them. Rather than wrestle with these tensions, some choose to dismiss the message entirely. Conviction can feel uncomfortable, and avoidance becomes the easier path.

“For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” (Romans 15:4)

These reasons—dislike of reading, apathy, busyness, and rejection—may differ on the surface, but they share a common thread: they keep people from engaging with something that has the power to shape their lives. Understanding these barriers is the first step toward overcoming them.

“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.” (Hosea 4:6)

What’s your reason?

agape

spencer

Bearing Fruit: Members

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“Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.” (John 15:8)

When we talk about being fruit bearers, we recognize that there is One vine (Christ) and One way of defining fruit (the word). What we may overlook is how different each of the branches are. While we are all part of the One vine, and bear fruit, we are still unique individuals. For this we look at another metaphor, the parts of the body.

“For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it” (1Cor 12:14-26). Another passage on this topic is in Romans 12:4-8, “For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office.”

From these two passages we learn that each of us is individual fruit bearers attached to the One vine, who is Christ. He is the source of our nourishment and growth, and we each have differing abilities from which we bear fruit (cf. Matt 25:14-30). We have differing roles, functions, and abilities for “…the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ” (Eph 4:12-13). These differences work together for the building up of the body.

One of the ways we can bear fruit is through personal evangelism. Our differences (not in the political sense of unity in diversity–which celebrates plurality itself, with less insistence on a single unifying purpose) give the church the greatest ability to reach the most people. Because of our differing interests, abilities, and spheres of influence, we are able to reach people with the gospel that others in the congregation may never meet. From my experience, some folks respond better to those who have similar backgrounds than to those who come from different ones.

Being one in Christ fuses many hearts into one purpose.

Agape
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Leadership without Humility

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Nebuchadnezzar & Agrippa I: Leadership Without Humility

The Bible does not shy away from showing the consequences when leaders forget their place before God. Two striking accounts—one from the Old Testament and one from the New—illustrate a timeless warning: when earthly rulers exalt themselves or accept the exaltation of others, the outcome is always ruinous. These stories serve as sober reminders for any generation about the perils of pride in positions of power.

King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon stands as a vivid example of self-aggrandizement. After great military victories, he erected a massive golden image and commanded all his subjects to bow down and worship it under penalty of death (Daniel 3). His pride reached its peak when he boasted of his own achievements while surveying his magnificent city: “Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?” (Daniel 4:30). A divine warning had come in a dream, urging him to acknowledge that “the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes” (Daniel 4:17). Yet he refused to humble himself. As judgment, he was driven away from people, lived like a wild animal, eating grass, with his body drenched by the dew of heaven, until seven times passed over him. Only after he lifted his eyes to heaven and praised the Most High God was his sanity and kingdom restored (Daniel 4:34-37). The lesson is clear: God opposes the proud, and no leader, no matter how powerful, can claim glory that belongs to God alone.

A different but equally sobering example appears in the New Testament with King Herod Agrippa I. After a period of persecution against the early church, Herod delivered a public address in Caesarea. The people, seeking his favor, shouted, “This is the voice of a god, not of a man!” (Acts 12:22). Herod did not rebuke the flattery or redirect the praise to the living God. Instead, he accepted it in silence. Immediately, “an angel of the Lord struck him down, because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and died” (Acts 12:23). His end was swift, painful, and public. The contrast is striking: where Nebuchadnezzar actively demanded worship, Herod passively allowed it. In both cases, the failure to humble oneself before God brought severe judgment.

These two accounts reveal a common pattern. Leadership without humility inevitably leads to idolatry—either self-imposed or encouraged by followers. Whether a ruler builds his own monument to greatness or simply fails to correct those who offer divine honors, the result is the same: divine opposition. Scripture repeatedly emphasizes that “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble” (James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5). Pride in high places does not merely affect the individual leader; it corrupts those under authority, distorts truth, and invites disorder and decay.

The Bible’s warning is therefore general and enduring. Any leader—whether in government, business, religion, or any sphere of influence—who forgets that all authority comes from God and who fails to give Him the glory due His name risks the same tragic trajectory. Nebuchadnezzar’s madness and Herod’s gruesome death stand as monuments to the truth that exaltation of self, whether bold or subtle, always precedes a fall. True leadership begins with the fear of the Lord and the recognition that “the Most High rules over the kingdom of men” (Daniel 4:17). Without such humility, even the mightiest throne becomes a path to humiliation.

May every person in authority—and every citizen who supports them—heed this ancient scriptural counsel: give glory to God alone, walk in humility, and reject every form of self-deification. For in the end, only God is worthy of worship, and He will not share His glory with another (Isaiah 42:8).

agape

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Bearing Fruit by Abiding in Christ

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“Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.” (John 15:8)

Last month we learned who defines good fruit, this month we find out that Jesus expects fruit bearing, and He tells us how to bear MUCH fruit. “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” (John 15:4-5).

People let their imaginations run wild with ideas about what it means to “ABIDE” in Christ. Anything from emotional claims, miraculous personal indwelling, to hearing of still small voices. The trouble with these is there’s no way to distinguish from what a person already desires from that which God desires.

What needs to be observed from the passage in John 15 is that Jesus is giving a directive to us. When He gives a command, or a directive, then it is something WE MUST DO. Another example is the command to “repent and be baptized” (Acts 2:38). When we’re told to do something, it stands to reason that it involves action on our part. The command to ABIDE IN ME, is a directive that we must ACT upon. We can do things to abide in Christ. The question then becomes, ‘what things?’

First, John also wrote, “Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father.” (1John 2:24) We today hear & know what they heard when we read the Bible. Note these passages in the Letter of 1John:


• 1John 1:4 And these things write we unto you…
• 1John 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you…
• 1John 2:7 Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you…
• 1John 2:8 Again, a new commandment I write unto you…
• 1John 2:12 I write unto you…
• 1John 2:13 I write unto you…
• 1John 2:14 I have written unto you…
• 1John 2:21 I have not written unto you…
• 1John 2:26 These things have I written unto you…
• 1John 5:13 These things have I written unto you…

We abide in Christ when we study & keep His word so that it DWELLS IN us. “If you continue [same Greek word: abide/remain] in My word, you are truly My disciple.” (John 8:31 cf. Col 3:16).

We abide in Christ when we DO HIS WILL. “Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son” (2John 9). “Whoever says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked” (1John 2:6).

Repeatedly the scriptures connect ABIDING IN CHRIST with scripture. To abide in Christ is to keep His commands and to bear fruit. Paul wrote to Timothy, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” (2Tim 3:16-17). It stands to reason then, that knowing the scriptures EQUIPS us to bear fruit (good works). This includes avoiding sin. “No one who abides in Him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen Him or known Him” (1John 3:6).

We can ABIDE IN CHRIST. He has shown us and told us how.

Agape
spencer

Speak First, Think Later

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JUMPING TO CONCLUSIONS

Last week, people took polar-opposite positions on an artist’s performance in a language neither of them understood. What stood out to this author wasn’t so much the controversy, but that folks were arguing over facts neither side had.

One fellow made a divisive Facebook post, then an hour later retracted it after hearing “the rest of the story.”

It reminded me of a warning written in the ancient wisdom literature about taking such impetuous and rash actions based on half (or less) of the facts. “He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.” (Proverbs 18:13)

The scriptures reveal many such rash judgments people have made based on little to no facts.

A clear biblical example appears in the confusion surrounding Jesus’ birthplace. Many in His day assumed He was merely from Nazareth in Galilee, prompting Nathanael to ask skeptically, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” (John 1:46). This prejudice against the insignificant village blinded him to Jesus’ true identity.

Similarly, in John 7, crowds and religious leaders debated whether Jesus could be the Messiah, arguing, “Will the Christ come out of Galilee? Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the seed of David and from Bethlehem?” (John 7:41-42). They rejected Him because they believed He originated in Galilee, unaware He was born in Bethlehem fulfilling prophecy (Micah 5:2; Luke 2). Their hasty dismissal ignored the full story. Premature conclusions often stem from prejudice, incomplete information, or arrogance, leading people to dismiss truth.

Even Nicodemus faced mockery when defending fair process: “Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing?” (John 7:51), only to be scorned as possibly Galilean himself (v. 52). These instances show how answering, or rejecting a person before hearing the complete matter fosters error, division, and overlooked details. It’s folly to answer a matter before hearing it.

It’s a broken record… Jumping to conclusions about people close to us (spouses, children, friends, or family) can lead to contempt and have lasting effects. When we assume (impugn) motives, judge character, or assign blame without hearing “the rest of the story,” we violate the wisdom of Proverbs 18:13. These snap judgments or assumptions usually stay internal at first: unvoiced suspicions, lingering doubts, or private resentments, but they seldom remain hidden. They leak out in changes in tone, avoidance, passive-aggressive actions, overreactions, and gossip. The affected person senses something’s wrong but doesn’t know what.

Humble recognition that we may not have all the facts is the first step. Giving folks the benefit of the doubt can do wonders. Gratitude and Prayer also helps.

Agape

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