I am sitting here eating a clementine and it occurred to me that I do not know the difference between clementines and tangerines. So I did my usual routine and Googled it. And the answer is – clementines don’t have seeds and tangerines do. Tangerines are a natural fruit and clementines are engineered. Without seeds means they are sterile and have to be the product of a graft on a varietal.
Through the years I have talked with many Christians who are fearful of their salvation because they are not aware of ever reproducing. They cannot identify anyone coming to Christ as a result of their influence or ministry. First of all, I am not aware of any Scriptural reference saying in order to be saved one must reproduce. The only thing I have ever discovered in the Bible is that salvation is a gift without attached requirements. This is not to mean we aren’t grateful and don’t want to be as much like Jesus as we can be. But once again that is the fruit of allowing the Holy Spirit to reside in us and transform us.
Secondly, I doubt if there is such a thing as a sterile Christian. Just because we are not aware that we have positively influenced someone doesn’t mean we didn’t. The smallest act of kindness, the shortest expression of care, the contribution to a church’s mission all make a difference for eternity. It is an old expression but non-the-less true, “No man is an island.” Every day we touch others and they are not the same because of that contact. One does not have to be a great evangelist to make a difference. We channel God’s love. It is His love that changes lives.
Written by Roger Bothwell on January 29, 2014
Spring of Life, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
Rogerbothwell.org