We are embarking on the study of how to become a fruitful Christian in a series called Fruit by the Bushel. First and foremost, one must be a Christian, i.e., one must have given their life over to Christ. That is a hard thing for most people to do as they believe that living for Christ is living under a set of restrictive rules which prohibits one from having fun and requires one to go to church and hear boring sermons every week.
In a way you would be right if that is what you think. There are many worldly things that God does not want His people to engage in and there are things that God wants His people to do. But in the grand scheme of things, being a Christian is not a restrictive life but a life of freedom. All of us serve a master. Either Satan or God is in control. The most miserable life is when we try to serve both for no man can serve two masters.
The problem the world has with Christians is immaturity. There are lots of people that accept Christ but want to keep one foot in the world because they are intimidated because non-Christians will poke fun at them and call them names. To often these immature Christians will object to the behavior of a non-Christian and say things like "you need to stop (whatever offensive behavior one is engaged in), and start going to church. Such words only antagonizes the non-believer and causes them to believe being a Christian is living to a higher moral code and the non-believers see Christians doing things they believe is not on a higher plane and therefore they see the Christian as a hypocrite.
The truth is there are no restrictions on behavior for Christians are "all things are lawful". Even so "not all things are expedient". Being a Christian is not adhering to a stricter moral code but is one who has a relationship with Christ. When one is single one has the right to date anyone who will go out with them but once they get married they do not give up the ability or right to date others but it is no longer expedient for them to do so. They are in a relationship so one restricts their behavior for the sake of the relationship and not because they are trying to live above the moral code they lived by as a single person.
Growing to maturity is called fruit-bearing. In order to bear fruit one must be properly prepared. Just as one needs to prepare the hole where a fruit tree is to be planted one must prepare their self.
I have planted many fruit trees around the yard and I have learned the value of properly preparing the hole as well as choosing the proper location of the hole.
Just not any old church will do neither will just any old translation of the bible will do. There are plenty of translations that attempt to make reading of the scriptures easier, I have found that many seem to lack the power of the Kings James Version and with a good teacher and proper study materials and a receptive heart and mind, the King James Version is the best translation available.
Many churches have watered down their teaching to eliminate controversial teachings or changed to a more progressive style of music and worship service to make worship more entertaining. TV, movies, sporting events, and music concerts are for entertainment. Church is for learning about God, bible study, and drawing strength from your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Choose a church that does not compromise on teaching thw whole word of God.
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