Bailey Newbern is a Ministry Assistant in Student Ministry at Liberty Live Church in Hampton Roads, VA. She is passionate about discipleship and leading up the next generation of girls, especially girls in middle and high school. She also specifically loves helping young girls and women navigate through depression, anxiety, and other mental health needs through scripture and prayer.
My dad has worked in automotive services for most of my life. Whenever someone needs help with their car, I’m always quick to say, “Call my dad! He can help!” The older I’ve gotten, the more I’ve paid attention to the qualities people use to describe my dad.
The other day, I was in the hall in my office when our Executive Pastor stopped me to tell me he’d just gone to take his car to my dad. He said, “Your dad always takes the best care of me. I never have to worry when I take my car in.” My face lit up. This meant so much to me.
As I was thinking about this, I was reminded about the fruit of the Spirit. I often teach the girls in our Student Ministry that the way that we live our lives can be a huge testament to our faith. When the way that we live our lives and the way we treat others sets us apart from the world, people notice that there is something different about us. They can see Jesus through us.
You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, you will recognize them by their fruits. Matthew 7:16-20 ESV
Sharing the gospel cannot be accomplished without also bearing fruit. Sharing the gospel without bearing fruit will completely discount the effectiveness of sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. The entire life of Jesus was set apart from the lives of anyone else because of his perfection and how He lived His life. May we strive every day to be more like Jesus and live a life that brings Him all of the honor and glory.