Have you ever bitten into an apple anticipating a big bite of juicy apple only to find a worm in your apple? I suppose finding half a worm would be even worse! At least for a city boy like me it would be, I'll tell you that! Finding a worm in an apple would render the fruit useless. The interesting thing is from the outside the apple looks much like any other apple. It's not until you look inside that you find the worm.
Now let's shift gears a little. How about your life? Are there worms in your apples? That is, what kind of fruit are you producing in your life? Is the fruit your life is producing of good quality or is it of such poor quality that it is rejected? Oftentimes, you cannot tell from the outside. You see, it's a condition of the heart.
Jesus said, "Ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain..." (John 15:16) You see, if we abide, or live in Jesus, we have a guarantee of continual fruitfulness. Those who continue to live in and abide in Jesus are chosen to bear fruit in this life. The fruit we bear will be will be lasting (will remain, abide). People sometimes speak of wanting to leave a legacy. You want to leave a legacy? Serve God!
The Fruit of the Spirit is included in this, as well (Gal. 5:22-23). The Fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance or self control) should be part of our daily lives as we move forward in our spiritual journey. These fruits should manifest themselves in our actions as well as our reactions to the things we face in our lives. Others are observing how we respond to the various pressures and stresses life brings our way. They are observing the fruit we are producing. What are they seeing in our lives?
So, I ask you again, are there worms in your apples?
Until next time, enjoy the journey!
Ray
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