Mental assent is to express acceptance or agreeing with the Word but not acting on The Word. Mental assent is passive whereas faith is active. To act upon HIS Word is to do HIS Will with the same intent as FATHER’S Divine Intent of Love. In Matthew chapter 9 Jesus spoke:
4 But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts?
5 For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise and walk’?
6 But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—then He said to the paralytic, “Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.”
7 And he arose and departed to his house.
8 Now when the multitudes saw it, they marveled and glorified God, who had given such power to men.
Jesus’ acts of healing glorified FATHER. If we are doing nothing are we glorifying FATHER? A passive Christian is not a light unto the world but an active Believer is, so let us reaffirm our commitment to be active on behalf of the Gospel. In John chapter 15 Jesus spoke:
1 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.
2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.
3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.
4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.”
The word abide means to be connected with, to depend on, and continue in. In 2017, let us purpose to produce good fruit daily on HIS behalf. Let us break out of custom and tradition with the expectation FATHER will reveal HIMSELF in a greater way than ever before. The life flows through the vine to the branch with the purpose of producing good fruit for other to eat. Let us break out of our circle of comfort and minister among a greater expanse of people. Let us plant seeds of Love in every person we come in contact, especially our enemies. Those seeds will begin a purging process as they grow in their life.
Jesus further spoke:
5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.
7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.
8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.”
Our active works in Christ will glorify FATHER. As we immerse ourselves in HIS Love and become the outward expression of HIS Love, people will see Jesus in us and His power will flow through us to minister healing and restoration in their life. Every one of us should expand his or her “tent stakes” and actively grow in ministry to others this year. Unproductive branches are ultimately removed and cast into the fire. Let our works glorify FATHER and our fruitfulness will increase in order that more may eat of the good fruit. “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.”