The Plumbline

"One that would have the fruit must climb the tree." (Thomas Fuller) And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. (Colossians 2:6-7) Fuller also reminded us that all things are difficult before they become easy. We may not find our walk with Jesus all that 'easy' right now, enduring some struggles along the way, but you can trust me on this one - the longer you remain consistent in following his path, the easier it is to trust him when the path becomes hard. One that wants fruit may find it is higher up in the tree than he can reach easily - so he has to find a way to obtain that fruit, doesn't he? Why would it be any different when we desire God's rich spiritual fruit to be produced and enjoyed in our lives?  We have to continue in our walk - ...

But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely. Legalism is helpless in bringing this about; it only gets in the way. Among those who belong to Christ, everything connected with getting our own way and mindlessly responding to what everyone else calls necessities is killed off for good—crucified. (Galatians 5:22-23) I often speak of finding 'something new' in scripture - passages I have read a hundred or more times, but all of a sudden something new comes across to me. There isn't any 'new truth' - it is just that I was finally open to seeing t...