Be fruitful and multiply.” It’s the first instruction God gave to the earth’s premier couple in Genesis. But today, hearing that command will either cause tittering among elementary school children or eye rolling among those old enough to realize the earth obviously doesn’t need to add to its 7.8 billion population. What a quaint idea.
But interestingly enough, the same metaphor is used in John 15 as Jesus gives his last talk with his disciples. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit” (verse 5). “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19 NIV). Sounds to me like “Be fruitful and multiply” all over again, this time in the spiritual sense.
This is a math equation. We are told to multiply. So dust off those times tables and MULTIPLY the GOODNESS of GOD today in the lives of those you interact with. Don’t just add or subtract. Go for the big guns. Do multiplication. You can MULTIPLY smiles, birthday celebrations, sorry-you-don’t-feel well cards, positive FaceTime calls, prayers, well wishes, porch visits, drive-by “hugs”. You can MULTIPLY the times you hold your tongue, take your hand away from the car horn, hit delete on a Facebook tirade, stand up for someone in trouble.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law” (Galatians 5:22,23 NASB).
Be fruitful and multiply love.
Be the Love.
But interestingly enough, the same metaphor is used in John 15 as Jesus gives his last talk with his disciples. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit” (verse 5). “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19 NIV). Sounds to me like “Be fruitful and multiply” all over again, this time in the spiritual sense.
This is a math equation. We are told to multiply. So dust off those times tables and MULTIPLY the GOODNESS of GOD today in the lives of those you interact with. Don’t just add or subtract. Go for the big guns. Do multiplication. You can MULTIPLY smiles, birthday celebrations, sorry-you-don’t-feel well cards, positive FaceTime calls, prayers, well wishes, porch visits, drive-by “hugs”. You can MULTIPLY the times you hold your tongue, take your hand away from the car horn, hit delete on a Facebook tirade, stand up for someone in trouble.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law” (Galatians 5:22,23 NASB).
Be fruitful and multiply love.
Be the Love.