Visible Fruit
According to Scripture, you will know a tree by its fruit. When Christians are daily immersed in the truth of God as revealed through His Scriptures, it is no surprise that spiritual fruit follows.
Our ministry partner co-ordinator, Phil Wheaton, witnessed upright character firsthand on his recent ministry trip to the Maritimes and Manitoba.
He was blown away by the exceptional character of the people he met. They were gracious and welcoming, and they bore the fruit of the Holy Spirit.
Take, for instance, one constituent who had spent years living a religious lifestyle out of duty and had even been heavily involved in his church, yet had never genuinely understood the truth of the Gospel. By his own admission, he was blindly following, did not know Christ personally, and yet publicly professed faith in Him. Facing a conviction to understand for himself the Bible that he claimed to believe, this man found the Insight for Living broadcasts and underwent a season of truly discovering what the Word of God declares. His heart was transformed by the Holy Spirit, and he is now living out a vibrant life within a rich Christian community.
Authentic faith in Jesus Christ does not remain dormant; its fruit becomes characteristic of our entire lives. The Lord delights when the lives of His people reflect a true understanding of what they have been called to. For the faithful listener whose story we’ve told, the fruit of the Spirit did not manifest in his life until he was steeped in the truth of the Bible.
Across Canada, Phil had the opportunity to build relationships with individuals whose lives have been genuinely impacted by God through the teachings of Pastor Chuck Swindoll. A variety of denominations and backgrounds were represented, yet all were united by foundational truths: the authority of Scripture, a clear understanding of the deity of Christ, and a love for Christ Jesus.
Having set out to encourage Insight for Living Canada listeners, Phil found himself deeply encouraged as well.
We continue to be inspired by the work the Lord is doing across Canada, and by the spiritual fruit in the lives of our constituents.
