Yesterday we looked at the commandment of Yah'shua that all talmidim or disciples bear fruit to His honour and we saw the four major categories: winning souls, sharing with those in need, developing a Christ-like character and worship (praise and thanks). Today we ask ourselves the question: what are the benefits of bearing fruits to those who bear them?

• 1. There is Great Simcha (Joy) for Soul-Winners Walking in Tavnith (Pattern). "For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the emet (truth) that is in you, just as you walk in the emet (truth). I have no greater simcha joy than to hear that my children walk in emet (truth)" (3 John 3-4, NKJV). Our simcha or joy is therefore a function of bringing souls to Messiah and discipling them in emet or truth so that they may walk in the set-apart tavnith or pattern of life. "For what is our hope, or simcha (joy), or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Master Yah'shua the Messiah (Lord Jesus Christ) at His coming? For you are our tiferet (glory) and simcha (joy)" (1 Thess.2:19-20, NKJV). To be involved in winning souls and discipling them in all truth brings us great joy as we see the fruits of the most important labour of all.

• 2. There is Great Happiness in Sharing Our Worldly Goods. When we share our wealth and possessions with others, we learn by experience the truthfulness of Yah'shua's Words when He said: "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35, NKJV). The word "blessed" can also be translated as "happy". Sharing, then, means happiness.

• 3. There is Great Assurance for Those Who Develop Christ-Like Character. Those in whom the "fruit of the Ruach (Spirit)" (Gal.5:3) is produced cannot be condemned by any moral torah (law) because someone who produces these fruits is de facto not breaking any moral Torah commandments! "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Messiah Yah'shua (Christ Jesus), who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Ruach (Spirit)" (Rom.8:1, NKJV). This is the source of great assurance for the soul, enables us to know whether we are IN Christ or not! Re-read the Fruits of the Ruach (Spirit) that we spoke of yesterday. "For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Master Yah'shua the Messiah (Lord Jesus Christ). For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Master and Delieverer Yah'shua the Messiah (Lord and Savior Jesus Christ)" (Peter 1:8-11, NKJV). The "knowledge of...Yah'shua" is not theological knowledge or gnosis but the graces described - these give assurance that we have entered the Everlasting Kingdom inwardly and will do so outwardly at the Second Coming if we remain in these graces. In a word, if we walk in these graces, we have assurance of salvation! "My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in emet (truth). And by this we know that we are of the emet (truth), and shall assure our hearts before Him" (1 John 3:18-19, NKJV).

• 4. There is Great Shalom (Peace) for Those Who Give Thanks. For those with the "attitude of gratitude" there is the shalom or peace of Yahweh. "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to Elohim (God); and the shalom (peace) of Elohim (God), which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Messiah Yah'shua (Christ Jesus)" (Phil.4:6-7, NKJV). Those who are slow to be grateful, but prefer to complain, tend to be restless and lacking in shalom (peace). This is no ordinary 'peace', as the world knows it, but rather guards your heart and mind against all that is false and out of tavnith (pattern) in Yah'shua the Messiah.

Tomorrow we will learn more about the secret of bearing this set-apart fruit. In the meantime, if you have not become a Branch of the True Vine, why don't you apply for an ingrafting right now by surrendering your life to Yahweh? Do that by making teshuvah (repenting) for your sins, accepting Yah'shua (Jesus) as your Master and Sin-Bearer, and conscientiously guarding the commandments. Selah!