Day 18 ~ The Purpose Driven Life ~ Experiencing Life Together

Knowledge of God that bears no fruit has no value.

Essentially on day 17 we discussed in brief, the ideal structure for a person to be in when in the body of Christ. Namely, a family environment which is God centred, a supporting small group partnership focused on common goals, a church and worship environment which extends beyond the group.

When Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”  ^s1 Matthew 4:4 (BSB) he was clearly referring to our spiritual life. If we reflect on the season of Jesus’s life at the time that this quote was given it is clear that the shadow experience of Israel wandering in the desert for 40 years (see s1 below) was a maturing realisation that we need to base our trust and faith on a sustained God life.

If our study of God’s word does not result in us bearing fruit then it becomes purely an academic exercise. It is impossible for a person to be born again by the spirit and not bear fruit as a result of the rebirth. This process internalises God. When God has been internalised you cannot but externalise through your actions the change effected by the Holy Spirit. Vice versa if your life does not display the fruit of God you have not experienced the rebirth.

There is a brilliant study by John Piper where he examines our security in regard to our salvation in Hebrews 3:12-14 which explains why some people fall away from God. What he exposes in these scripts ring true in my spirit and is really worth our time to study.  Below are the links for the two studies that follow each other on the subject;

Hebrews 3:12–14, Part 1

http://www.desiringgod.org/labs/take-care-brothers

Hebrews 3:12–14, Part 2

http://www.desiringgod.org/labs/exhort-one-another-every-day

Being part of the body of Christ, his church, which involves your companionship with his saints is critically important for your continual growth and exploration of the word of God. John 15:8 cannot be ignored as a measure “This is to My Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, proving yourselves to be My disciples.”  

Note, it does not say bear fruit, it says bear MUCH fruit. Clearly  your inclusion and participation in a small group and being part of “one another one anothering” will both bear witness and give you the sustenance for your spirit so that you can get fat on the word of God!

Further reading material on Day 18 of The Purpose  Driven Life :http://purposedriven.com/day18/

Shadow script from the old Testament;

s1 – Jesus 40 day in the desert with the 40 years Israel spent wandering in the desert;

Mathew 4:4 ~ Deuteronomy 8:2-3

“”You shall remember all the way which the LORD your God has led you in the wilderness these forty years, that He might humble you, testing you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. “He humbled you and let you be hungry, and fed you with manna which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that He might make you understand that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the LORD. ” Deuteronomy 8:2-3 (NASB)