Eat the fruit of their doings

Isa 3:9 The shew of their countenance doth witness against them; and they declare their sin as Sodom, they hide it not. Woe unto their soul! for they have rewarded evil unto themselves.
Isa 3:10 Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings.
Isa 3:11 Woe unto the wicked! it shall be ill with him: for the reward of his hands shall be given him.


As I was studying another subject I came across this verse and it pertained to 'fruit' (yesterday's study) so it jumped out at me.


Eating the fruit of their doings.


Our fruit bears fruit.


I know that sounds so simple and I can almost hear a loud- "DUH!" But this struck me particularly because I didn't really touch on it at all yesterday. I talked about people knowing us by our fruit and the idea of our fruit being plentiful and not always perfect fruit but fruit in various stages of perfection- well you know what I wrote if you read yesterday's little study. I didn't talk about the fact our fruit- bears fruit.


We know- unless altered by people- that God has it set up that trees and plants propagate on their own with no help from man. God uses the insect world, the bird world, wind, and animals to do for Him what He wants done so that one fruit tree will produce more fruit trees.


Most fruit will have seeds or a seed in it and from those seeds more fruit trees grow.


Our Spiritual fruit bears fruit. Our actions influence the actions of others and we can't for one moment believe otherwise.


Both the righteous and the wicked will receive a reward according to their *fruits*, according to their doings, the reward will reflect the work our hands. If the works of our hands, if the fruits of our doings result in even more wickedness- spreading evilness- we will be rewarded with the same.


Our fruit bears fruit, our actions result in actions. Is it any wonder that the fruits of the Spirit all result in peacefulness, in good? No, I'm not saying that our being kind is going to result in another being kind but it has a much better chance of doing so than if we are unkind, yes?


Ever notice how more often than not an unexpected smile from someone, even a complete stranger walking down the street, will result in your smiling back at them? What does a scowl from a stranger do to you? Makes you turn away and not think very highly of the scowler-yes?


We know as followers of our Savior we are called to react in kindness when confronted by abusiveness. It's not always easy to do but it's what our Savior wants us to do. Do you think it's because our Savior wants us to be abused? No. Our Savior is calling for us to reveal HIM to the world and not just through preaching, not just through praying. How likely are you to believe someone is a follower of our Savior if they are promoting arguing and angst when He clearly was against treating others abusively- either mentally, emotionally, or physically.


Seriously- turning the other cheek is a reality for Christians and way too many of us let that slip, justifying our anger.


You see, the fruit we bear - bears more fruit and if we are bearing thorns and thistles the fruit we bear will be nothing more than thorns and thistles.


Isa 3:9 The shew of their countenance doth witness against them; and they declare their sin as Sodom, they hide it not. Woe unto their soul! for they have rewarded evil unto themselves.
Isa 3:10 Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings.
Isa 3:11 Woe unto the wicked! it shall be ill with him: for the reward of his hands shall be given him.


We all prefer fruit over thorns.


The wicked have no hope for anything good, they holdfast to their wickedness uncaring about their future and certainly not caring about the future of others. Are you willing to be known as you are known? Are you willing to 'eat the fruit of your doings?'


Remember this…


Mat 7:2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.


This is true.


You reap what you sow.


Gal 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.


We can't fool God. God will know the fruit of our doings. God knows- there is NOTHING hidden from God.


We definitely need to ask ourselves though if we are willing to eat the fruit of our doings.


May God help us be with Him, loving Him now and forever! May our fruit be fruit that is acceptable to Him, wrought through the Spirit. By His grace! His mercy!