Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.
Ephesians 5:11-12 NIV
Fruitless Deeds
The fruit growing industry on the prairies originated in Southern Manitoba. Fresh from Scotland, A. P. Stevenson homesteaded in 1874 within seven miles of what is now Morden. Having a well sheltered location, he determined, if possible, to grow fruit, and imported apple and plum and cherry trees from Eastern nurseries. For several years nearly everything succumbed to the winter temperatures. With true Scottish persistence, though smiled at by the few neighbors of those days, he continued to experiment, eventually successfully introducing the crab apple.
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Welcome to November. By now Canadian farmers have mostly completed harvesting their crops, with the exception of some pumpkins and squash, and the feed corn. They have some idea about how successful a season they have had. They planted their crops months ago, hoping to see what they planted produce an abundance. Fruitlessness would be tragic. It is as well in our spiritual lives. The Lord has redeemed us and sent us out to produce spiritual fruit, as we bring the light of the Gospel to a world that needs Jesus. This is why Paul the apostle writes this in Ephesians 5:11-12: “Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.” Because of the internet and social media we are more than ever aware of the depth of depravity in the world. Followers of Jesus are called to avoid anything that does not draw us closer to Him and bring the light of the Gospel to a world that is in darkness. Each and every day we are called to live in such a way that we produce a crop of abundant spiritual fruit.
These have been words from the heart.
Bob Beasley