I love flowers--all flowers--but these are petunias in particular. I'm showing a photo of not only a seedling that has germinated and grown, but also the full-grown beautiful flowers. They're planted that they might bloom, bringing forth its full fruit of a flower. That is what we are meant to do as Christians! We are saved that we might grow and bring forth fruit. Jesus said in my first Bible reference, "Ye shall know them by their fruits." Do people see Jesus Christ in you? Do people see a difference in you? Are you producing fruit for His kingdom? Please read further! Please be certain that you are Christ's and have a home in Heaven--not just following a crowd. May Christianity be real in you!
Matthew 7:16-27 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
Evidence of Life--or Being Alive:
1. It has a capacity for growth
2. It shows evidence of activity
3. It has capacity to reproduce
- Do you show evidence of salvation?
- Are there signs of life?
- What are you trusting in?
- There is only one way to Heaven. (John 14:6 "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but my Me."
Back in Christ's day, the word "Christian" was coined to mean "little followers or imitators" of Jesus Christ. It was a derogatory term meant as an insult. It was meant for the disciples of Jesus Christ. But there are so many people today who call themselves "Christians," and yet really have no desire to follow the Savior. There's the question for you! Are you following Jesus Christ? Are you following and imitating Jesus Christ because that is just exactly what Christ calls us to do! We are to be a "rubber stamp," a copy of the One we are following; we are to be taking on His image--not like the world who is just doing their own thing! There's the second question: who is it you look like--Jesus Christ or just SELF?? If you're truly His, His Word will make a change--from the inside out, and an inner beauty (of Christ) will shine forth. As I have said before, He is the reason for it all; it's not about you any longer! He is to be glorified in our lives!
1 John 2:3 says, "And hereby we do know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments." Question is, do you have a desire to follow Him and obey His Word--because if you don't, you had better check why! Is there real evidence of salvation, or are you just a pretender, someone that's just following the crowd? Back to one of my original points, if you are truly saved, there should be evidence--evidence of salvation, evidence of growth, evidence of activity, evidence of trying to reproduce. That's a long list, isn't it? But that's just exactly what God has called us to. If we are truly saved, then there should be evidence of life--growing and reproducing!
2 Corinthians 5:17 says, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." If you're truly a "Christian," God should be at work in you, making you a new creature. He desires to change you--not that He can hold His big hammer over your head, no!--but that God can be glorified in our lives, bringing others to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ!
Matthew 13:3-9 says, "And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow; And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear."
Jesus Christ used a lot of parables in his day to teach from a prospective people would understand. The point Christ was trying to make here was that when the Word of God goes forth, some will receive it; but many others will not. And others yet, the Word will be sown in their hearts, but because of the things of this world, or even the devil himself, the Word will go unheeded. The question is--and the bottom line is this--which one are you? Are you 100% positive you're on your way to Heaven??--or is there some doubt in your heart and mind? Dear friend, if there's even a half of a percent of doubt in your heart and mind, please make sure today!! What or Whom are you trusting in today? If your answer is anything but Jesus Christ, then you are not trusting in the right thing--and Heaven is not your home. Please make sure today! You can go back to any of my old postings on salvation, and read the salvation message, or you can post a comment or question. I'd be happy to help you any way I can.
May you truly know
Christ today!
Merle
