Read John 4.27-38
"Already he who reaps is receiving wages and is gathering fruit for life eternal; so that he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together."
(John 4:36)
It must have been quite a sight. One woman’s testimony about Jesus brings a flood of Samaritans to the well where He had just confronted her with the good news. They wanted to see for themselves, this man, she claimed “told [her] all things she had done, this is not the Christ, is it?” (Jn 4.29) This inquisitive throng of people becomes Jesus’ object lesson for the disciples as He refers to them as the “fields white unto harvest.” (Jn 4.35) This was the fruit of eternal life. The saving work that had previously been done in the woman’s life was now being multiplied in others through her testimony and Jesus’ word. They believed and became the fruit for eternal life. (Jn 4.41-42)
As disciples we are to bear much fruit because it glorifies God and it is the stamp of authentication that we truly are His followers. (Jn 15.8) But more often than not, I see Christians settling for the fruit of morality minus the fruit of ministry. Don’t get me wrong. Our conduct is a prime concern of Jesus (Lk 6.43-45, Gal 5.22-23) but He has commanded us to be involved in the disciple making process as well. Are we bearing the people fruit? Is our morality counting for more than just being “a good person?” Most Christians are not bearing the fruit for eternal life. Why? Maybe they don’t know that they are commanded to share Jesus with others? (Mt 28.18-20) Maybe they have tried the latest fad in evangelism and failed? (Lk 8.15) Or maybe they are only hanging out with the “sanctified” and never rubbing elbows with the lost? (Mk 2.17) If we want to become like Jesus, we need to start laboring in the “field that is white unto harvest.” Not sure how to get started or tried sharing Jesus with others and got discouraged with the results? Stay tuned for the next FJ devotional, “Come and See.” FJ36
For questions or comments drop me a line at charleswood1@gmail.com
