It was not an accident that the last three articles were focused on Bible, Community, and Mission. These 3 aspects are crucial for a walk with Christ that is full of fruit. When all 3 are utilized correctly, you and everyone you know feel the love of Christ.

The Big 3.

If you haven’t read my last three articles they are linked above, or if you’re strapped for time here is a quick rundown.

Bible: Reading the Bible is important because it is literal the words of God. And if you are with God through Christ then knowing and understanding His words are essential for daily living.

Community: God has created us for community and so living in it is a large part of Christian life. To fight sin together, build each other up, and spur each other on in Christ.

Mission: If your life has been truly changed by Christ, then you will want to live a life on mission. Showing the good news of God’s saving grace to all people.

Also do not forget, while bible, community, and mission are 3 pillars of a fruit-bearing faith, they are not the mechanisms to salvation. Only in repenting to God and turning the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ is there salvation. These three areas will only help you in grow to look more like Christ in your day-to-day life.

Better together.

Each foundational piece is important. And not just important on its own, but alongside the other pieces. Without one aspect, something will be lacking in your walk with Christ. A good way to view this is through a Venn diagram.

As you can see only in the middle is there true fruit-bearing faith. And there are many scenarios to fall into that are so close to the middle, but are lacking some aspects. Three of these common scenarios are:

1. Holy Huddle – This is when you are great at living in a community and fully dwelling in the word of God, however, you are living out your faith in mission. All your friends are Christians and no one is looking to make any new friends.

2. Street Preacher – This happens when you are living deeply in the word of God and you feel the call to go and share it. However, you aren’t being fostered and developed by a loving community. So you are mostly alone preaching. Kind of like a street preacher.

3. Social Activist – This happens when you are tied into a community and have a mission to meet new people, but aren’t deeply dug into the Word. This turns away from being a good mission to social activism because people aren’t being rooted in the truths of scripture.

✓ The Fruit Bearing Faith – This is the center of everything God has called us to be in him. Tied into community, the Word, and living on Mission.

Foundations Foster Fruit.

So the center of the diagram is the place every Christian should strive to be. Admiring the truth of God’s word, living in community, but also living for the mission. But it is hard. I struggle to be there often. I find myself lacking in my reading of God’s word. Or in living a life on mission. That is because I lose sight of why I am even attempting to live in this way.

None of these three things are for us. They aren’t to bring us glory. They are to give glory to the only one worthy of glory. Growing us in the image of Christ. Letting us more fully abide in the love that he offers. Which in turn allows us to live out in good works.

Think about that today, this week, or month. How can we live out the things God has commanded us to do (being in his word, living in community, and having a life on mission), for the glory of the one who has created all things?