Crowded out …

Part of being a disciple of Jesus is receiving from Him an assignment to go “bear fruit.” Jesus said this plainly:

“You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name,” John 15:16.

In fact, Jesus indicates that a proof that we’re His disciples is by “producing fruit”:

“When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father,” John 15:8.

This fruitfulness comes from the transformation that occurs when we believe in Jesus:

“For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true,” Ephesians 5:8-9.

So why, then, do so many people who profess to be Christian today live mostly “fruitless” lives?

Jesus gave us answers to that. Here’s just one that is prevalent in 2021:

“The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced,” Matthew 13:22.

Just a few moments perusing social media on any given day reveals how consumed people are with the “worries of this life” and “the lure of wealth.” No wonder there are so many “fruitless Christians”! Instead of making their pursuit of bearing fruit for the kingdom of God and His glory their priority, they allow the word of God to be crowded out with worries about this life, or getting all they can out of it.

When you allow the word of God to be crowded out by worries or lures of wealth, you lose your capacity to produce fruit that glorifies God.

No wonder Jesus instructed us thusly:

“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life — whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today,” Matthew 6:25-34.

Have you allowed worries or a want for wealth or worldly things to crowd out the word of God in your life? If so, you need to “Produce fruit in keeping with repentance” (Matthew 3:8) and turn to seek above all else the kingdom of God and live righteously. Then you’ll have a fruitful life that pleases God and will be a source of joy in any circumstances.

Scotty