“The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy.”
(John 10:10)
How do we know if we’re being robbed? The thief breaks into our lives with one agenda, to steal. And it’s the fruit of our inheritance he’s aiming for; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23) These are the trademarks of God’s beloved, the fruit of the Holy Spirit. So, I’ve been asking myself, where do I see the fruit in my life and where do I find myself robbed? I find that a big indicator of my being robbed is the pulse of my joy and peace.
What about you? Have you stepped back to determine how you’re being robbed? “It’s in the fruit.” Given careful examination, it’s good to see what’s missing and to see how it’s been stolen. Hands down, there are places where I know if I step into them I’m setting myself up for a steal; hurry, striving, man’s approval, to name a few. What about you? Yet, I can spot the places I find the fruit increases; community, giving, abiding, worship, surrender, thankfulness and resting.
Careful assessment of our fruit is God’s will. He wants us living in the fruit of our inheritance. Let’s not be robbed. Let’s run to the places where fruit abides.
Lord, praise You! What a beautiful inheritance you extend to us. You are ever present and desire us to be “in the fruit.” Help us examine our lives up close. Then give us the courage to remove things that are a hinderance and add in the things that bring out our trademarks. Amen & Alleluia.
