God desires spiritual fruit, not religious nuts. If you watch a lot of Christian TV you figure out why most sinners classify Christians as religious nuts. One guy preaches this and another that, both conflicting the other. Others predict a day or time for the world to end while others teach we will go through the tribulation. It can confuse even the most godly saint, if they are not grounded in the Word.
The Bible tells us that, "We are known by the fruit we bear." It is that fruit that identifies us as sons and daughters of God. It is not extremist or degrading, but gracious, patient, and kind. It is the kind of fruit that signifies there has been a heart change on the inside of an individual. Their outward expressions share what Jesus has done on the inside.
We are to be, "Zealous of good works." Yet good works does not create a religious nut. My idea of a religious nut is one that constantly and consistently walks the walk of a Pharisee with an attitude toward others that they are not holy enough for God. It's the individual that says they have no sin, but bears false witness against their brother. It's the person that is always right and righteous and everybody else is beneath them. Yes, that's what a religious nut is-so unheavenly minded they are no earthly good because of their attitude and spirit toward others.
It was Peter and Paul that reminded us about bearing spiritual fruit and what God requires from us. They also instructed us on how to use that fruit in our everyday lives to influence others for Christ. They also warned us of counterfeit fruit and the damage it could do to the Kingdom of God. I want to bear that spiritual fruit more than be a religious nut. I am not more holy than my brethren or more worthy of heaven because of my sacrifices. I'm just being a fruit bearer according to the Word. If there are nuts around, the squirrels won't be far away.
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