HOSEA 14:8
From Me is thy fruit found.
Hosea 14:8
Our fruit is found from our union with God. The fruit of the branch is directly traceable to the root. Sever the connection and the branch dies; thus no fruit is produced. By our union with Christ, we bring forth fruit. Every bunch of grapes has first been in the root.
Likewise, every good work was first in Christ, and then is brought forth in us. Cherish this precious union with Christ, for it must be the source of all the fruitfulness that you can hope to know. If you were not joined to Jesus Christ, you would be barren. Our fruit comes from God's spiritual providence. The dewdrops fall from heaven, the cloud pours out its raindrops, and the bright sun swells the berries of the cluster.
The fruit owes much to the root – that is essential to fruitfulness, but it also owes much to external influences. How much we owe to God's gracious providence. He provides us constantly with quickening, teaching, consolation, strength, and whatever we need. To this we owe all of our usefulness. Our fruit comes from God as a result of His wise nurturing.
The gardener's sharp-edged knife promotes the fruitfulness of the tree by thinning the clusters and by cutting off excess shoots. So it is with the pruning that the Lord gives to us. “Every branch in Me that bears not fruit He takes away and every branch that bears fruit, He purges it, that it may bring forth more fruit.” (John 15:2)
Since our God is the Author of our spiritual graces, let us give to Him all the glory of our salvation.
Posted on :
21 JAN 2010
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