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Fruit & Works
by A.J. Wilson

“Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit” John 15:2

 “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name's sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.” Revelation 2:2-4

“But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me." And Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her." Luke 10:40-42

Fundraisers, fellowships, Bible studies, outreach and visitation programs, potlucks, rehearsals . . . how many dates have popped up on your calendar by the mention of these activities?  And when we combine these with all the other areas of our lives, many of us are drowning in our calendars.  Sometimes we drag ourselves and our families from a school or job activity to church activities like they were all the same.

This is not a call for a “simple church,” free from programs and activities; rather this is a heads up to guard yourself and your ministries from becoming vehicles driving you away from God.  Where do we find the line between Jesus telling us that we must bear fruit, and Martha becoming distracted with much “ministering?”  Where is it that we leave the love of the church of Jesus, and cross into the land of “religion?” 

I cannot answer the above questions with any certainty, but I believe the answers fall where John writes “you have left your first love.”  You see we have been commanded to walk after the Spirit, and produce the fruit of the Spirit found in Galatians 5:22-23.  Sometimes you must step back and ‘test the spirits’ in your own heart to be sure why you are working.  Please take it from someone who has been on the wrong side of these lines, “ministering without love and fruit, is only bus(y)iness.”

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