The Holy Martyr Leontius (69-79)
Apostles’ Fast.
Read
Romans 4:4-12; Matthew 7:15-21
What are your motives or intentions in living the life you do as a Christian? Do you live your life in obedience to and in imitation of Christ so that you may be a witness to others? Or is it because you desire the praise of others? Does your life seek glory for God or glory for yourself?
The good tree of the Christian life is when we live this life for others by being an example of obedience to Christ and sharing His love with others so that they too may come to know Him, follow Him, and worship Him. This tree bears good fruit by increasing the Christian family.
The bad tree is when we live as Christians in order to gain the praise of others. When we seek glory for ourselves and not for God, we bear bad fruit. This bad fruit does not bring more faithful into a relationship with our Lord but rather, it pushes many away from God.
Our intentions and motives are important as they direct our thoughts and actions which, in turn, produce either good fruit or bad fruit for the Kingdom of God.
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