Biblical
Fruit is a common biblical image for good works & faithfulness that flow from God's grace. In the parable of the sower, Jesus tells us that indifferent responses to the word of the kingdom are unfruitful. On the other hand, fruit brought forth from a responsive heart abounds. Our response to the Word depends on the attitude of our hearts. Our attitude can be afflicted by various things that can hinder & distort our reception and understanding. Jesus sketches four different responses to the Gospel; three are unfruitful, but the good soil is receptive and produces a great harvest. We must determine the "soil" of our own hearts and see if we are truly fertile to bring forth good fruit. Are we listening with a good and honest heart? Or is the message getting distorted by our bias, our cynicism, our ignorance, our distractions, our attachments...? The Kingdom's value is inestimable, and surrendering earthly attachments is required to obtain it. Sometimes following ...