God's Kingdom-fruit

In Isaiah 65 the prophet first speaks about the Lord’s people as having gone astray and worshipping idols. Though we do not follow pagan worship, such as bowing to lifeless statues, sometimes our hearts love our own ambitions for this life more than they love the Lord, and this is also idolatry.  Isaiah’s statement tells us about the bad fruit of idol worship;

“who say ‘Keep away; don’t come near me, for I am too sacred for you!’” (Is 65:5).

This condescending statement comes from people who hold themselves in higher esteem than others. Seeking after our own ministry or worldly “stuff” can cause a separation between us and those who follow God’s ways.  The former seeks after glory for self, and the latter for God’s glory. As Christians, we have God’s word to guide our hearts, and God’s love to guide our actions. 

“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” (Phil 2:3)

If we regard our brothers and sisters as better than ourselves, we wouldn’t want to keep them away; we would want to spend time with them.  The fruit of being a true Christian does not lead to setting up the idols of love of self and love of the world in our hearts. Good fruit is seen when we love people. The prophet goes on to tell us what a group of God’s people would be like;

“ . . . a pasture for flocks . . . a resting place for herds, for my people who seek Me.” (Is 65:10).

God’s people become a resting place for one another and a place of nurturing.  Jesus spoke about this principle in the parable of the mustard seed, saying that God’s kingdom is like that seed, which, when it grows it “becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade.” (Mk 4:32).

God’s kingdom in us should be big, and inclusive.  When our worship goes amiss, we become small and exclusive.  While some ministers display the size of their congregations and the monies they have as proof that they are serving God’s kingdom, Jesus said that “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (Jn 13:35).  True proof is in the nurturing and rest we provide for those who seek Him.  This is God’s Kingdom-fruit.  Amen.