Producing Fruit

Scripture:

Matthew 21:43  "Therefore I tell you that the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit".

Observation:

Jesus was addressing the chief priests and the Pharisees at this time.  He was explaining to them that the Jews had been given an opportunity to oversee God's Kingdom and had failed in accomplishing what He wanted.  He tells them that the Kingdom will be taken away from them and given to a people who will produce it's fruit.  God has given the Kingdom to us Gentiles so that we will produce it's fruit.

Application:

God was looking for the Jews to produce something that they had not produced.  Therefore, He took the kingdom from them and gave it to us Gentiles so that we would "produce fruit".  Though grace is a free gift given to us, God is still looking for fruit.  He wants us to produce, not just consume.  He has given us the task of producing fruit for His kingdom.  This is our mandate!  This is our task.  Righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost is fruit of the Kingdom in operation.  We must advance His kingdom and let it rule and reign in our hearts.

Prayer:

Lord, I want to be a producer and not just a consumer of your grace.  I want to be part of those who produce much for Your kingdom.  Help me live in such a way that I am fully yielded to You and Your Kingdom.  Let You Kingdom grow and produce fruit in my life and through my life to others.

Yours,

Jeff