Taste....

Taste and see that the Lord is good -Psalm 34:8(NIV)

Michael Ramsden of RZIM teaches brilliantly. After speaking, he invites questions, staying until he answers them all. Oddly, instead of picking his brain this weekend, I listened as others questioned him.

He points out: People are not always what they claim to be. When we claim to be something, how do we back it up? If you claim to be a doctor or a lawyer, you have diplomas and certificates to your credit. But how can one prove they’re a Christian?

Mr. Ramsden points us to the proof the Bible requires. When we truly live a life submitted to Christ, we bear good fruit. What is good fruit? ‘The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.’ -Galatians 5:22&23 (NIV) When this is the fruit we bear, we will leave ‘a good taste in someone’s mouth’ when they encounter us.

The man half joked when he invited: Bite me.

The book of Galatians also tells us what bad fruit looks like: ‘The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.’ (5:19-21 NIV)

In the book of Revelation God Himself tells us what He will do when we call ourselves Christians, but fail to produce good fruit. ‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.’ (3:15-16 NIV)

I pray that my life invites you to taste of God’s goodness through the fruit of the Spirit made manifest in my thoughts, words and deeds.

May we taste good!