Leaves or Fruit

Leaves or Fruit: A Call to Authentic Faith

A question that each of us needs to consider is - are we bearing leaves or fruit? This seemingly simple inquiry delves deep into the heart of our faith, challenging us to examine the authenticity of our relationship with God.

Imagine driving through the countryside, anticipating the sight of a lush apple orchard. As you approach, the trees appear vibrant, their leaves a rich green. But upon closer inspection, you realize there's not a single apple to be found. This scenario serves as a powerful metaphor for our spiritual lives.

Just as a fruitless apple tree fails to fulfill its purpose, so too can our faith fall short if it's all show and no substance. The Bible speaks of a fig tree that Jesus encountered, covered in leaves but devoid of fruit. This tree had the appearance of life but lacked the essence of what truly matters.

But what does it mean to bear spiritual fruit? It's not about manufacturing goodness through our own efforts. Rather, it's about staying so connected to Jesus that His character, love, and works begin to show up naturally in our lives. Bearing fruit is about expression, not production. It's God's work in us, producing His character through us so that His glory can be seen around us.

Consider the contrast between leaves and fruit in our spiritual lives:

- Leaves focus on appearance; fruit focuses on substance.
- Leaves are about looking good; fruit is about being good.
- Leaves satisfy human expectations; fruit satisfies God's desires.

The challenge for many of us is discerning between looking fruitful and actually being fruitful. It's easy to fall into the trap of the Pharisees, who were masters of external righteousness but lacked internal transformation. They prayed long prayers, fasted regularly, and gave generously – all outward signs of piety. Yet Jesus said of them, "These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me" (Matthew 15:8).

True fruitfulness flows from the inside out. It's not about trying to look loving; it's about being filled with God's love so that it overflows naturally. It's not about appearing faithful; it's about a deep-rooted faith that sustains us through life's storms.

So how do we move from leaves to fruit? The key lies in our worship. Not just the songs we sing on Sunday mornings, but our entire life as an act of worship. Worship, in its truest sense, is the believer's response of all that they are – mind, emotions, will, and body – to all that God is, says, and does.

However, our worship can often be hindered by the clutter and noise of life. Just as Jesus cleansed the temple of money changers and vendors, we too must clear out the distractions that prevent us from fully engaging with God. These distractions might be digital noise, busy schedules, or misplaced priorities. Whatever they are, they compete for our devotion and hinder our ability to bear fruit.

When we remove these hindrances and make worship our priority, two beautiful things happen:

1. Healing occurs: Just as the blind and lame were healed in the temple after Jesus cleared it, we too can experience emotional, spiritual, and even physical healing when we prioritize our relationship with God.

2. Praise flows freely: After the temple was cleansed, children began to cry out praises to Jesus. Similarly, when we clear the clutter from our lives, genuine praise and adoration for God spring forth naturally.

The journey from leaves to fruit is not always easy. It requires honest self-examination and a willingness to change. We must ask ourselves:

- Are there areas in my life that hinder my worship of God?
- Am I more concerned with how others perceive my faith than with my actual relationship with God?
- Do I prioritize external religious activities over internal transformation?

As we ponder these questions, let's remember that God isn't impressed by outward religion that merely looks alive. He desires authentic faith that bears real fruit – fruit that grows as we remove the hindrances to true worship.

Imagine your spiritual life as a tree. Is it laden with fruit, demonstrating the work of God's Spirit in your life? Or is it merely covered in leaves, giving the appearance of life without the substance? Perhaps there are just a few branches bearing fruit, while the rest remain barren.

Wherever you find yourself on this spectrum, there's good news. You don't have to manufacture fruit on your own. Your role is simply to create the conditions that allow fruit to flourish. This means prioritizing your relationship with God, making decisions led by His Spirit, and focusing on internal transformation rather than external appearances.

As you do this, you'll find that fruit begins to appear naturally in your life – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These qualities will not only bring glory to God but will also bless those around you and advance His kingdom.

Remember, bearing fruit isn't about perfection; it's about progress. It's about growing in your faith, becoming more like Christ, and allowing His life to flow through you. As you cultivate a life of true worship, clearing away the distractions and focusing on what truly matters, you'll find yourself becoming the fruitful believer God has called you to be.

So today, let's commit to moving beyond leaves to bearing real, lasting fruit. Let's create space in our lives for genuine worship, allowing God's transforming power to work within us. As we do, we'll discover the joy and fulfillment that comes from living out our faith authentically, bearing fruit that will last for eternity.