The Daily Word of Righteousness

Why Christians Must Bear Fruit, continued

When the Lord Jesus appears from Heaven He shall come with His saints, with those who are bearing Christ in their personality. Christ in and with His saints shall bring justice, righteousness, and peace to this old world of ours.

Hallelujah!

This is why Christians must bear fruit. It is not an option. It is the whole game!

The believer who, after a suitable period of time, is not bearing the fruit of Christ but the fruit of the flesh, is near the judgment of God.

But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned. But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. (Hebrews 6:8,9)

Notice in the above verses that thorns and briers do not accompany salvation. There are better things that accompany salvation. The better things are the moral image of Christ, the fruit of the Spirit, righteousness and praise. These are what the Farmer, God, is waiting to receive.

The Apostle Peter speaks of new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness will dwell. The coming world of righteousness is not Heaven, the spirit realm. The coming world of righteousness will be found on the earth.

Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. (II Peter 3:13)

Today there is wickedness in the heavens and consequently on the earth. But there are new heavens and a new earth on the way and they will be filled with righteous creatures. The righteousness will be that which comes from the Divine Nature of Jesus Christ. The righteousness will not be imputed but actual righteous behavior proceeding from Christ and working in and through His saints.

When we think of the coming of Christ we picture the going of the Church to Heaven. Where did we ever get this idea? Certainly not from the Scriptures.

The coming of Christ according to the Prophets is to bring justice and peace to the world.

He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law. (Isaiah 42:4)

The Lord is delaying His coming until we are ready to appear with Him and bring justice to the saved nations of the earth. We are not ready to appear with Him until the fruit of Christ comes forth in our personality.

God the Father is exercising tremendous patience while He is waiting for the fruit of Christ to come forth in His people.

Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. (James 5:7)

As we understand it the early rain fell during the Book of Acts. The early rain is the fall, or former rain of which the Bible speaks.

To be continued.