When people see a tree, they see the fruit on the tree, the leaves or lack thereof on the tree, they see birds in the tree, the trunk of the tree, they see everything that is above ground and many people respond to what they see above ground. But people are like trees: It is easy to see, correct, criticize or compliment what we see on the surface, but what many fail to recognize is the source of the fruit, the leaves, the everything that has to do with a tree. The reason a tree exists is the root system that is below the ground. So when you see bad fruit, it is important to recognize that the real issue is the root, not the fruit. If you can identify the root issue, you will see a change in the fruit issue (Mark 8:24; Matt. 12:33).
Religion, including Christianity, which has in many ways has become a religion, looks to pluck fruit. Don’t drink, don’t smoke, don’t swear, don’t touch, don’t whatever, is easier to say because then you only have to deal with the fruit. But discipleship is about dealing with the root so that our fruit changes.
If we can identify the root that is producing the fruit, we will see new fruit grow. God is always after the root, for He knows the issue is a root one, not a fruit one. On the verge of the greatest harvest the world has ever know, I hear the Lord calling people to “come here, come to Me!” Not those who are not saved yet, but those who already are saved.
Humanity’s problem, whether believer or unbeliever, Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu or any other religion you want to name, the problem is, yes, sin, but the root issue is fear (Rom. 3:23). We as people have a fear problem. We try to cover it up with money, marriage, ministry or a myriad of other things, but the issue still remains, the root is still revealing the fruit of striving, struggle, anxiety, stress and so on. Humanity’s root problem, when you get to the root is fear. Just like Adam and Eve, we hide the root issues, and just try to change the fruit, but we must allow the uprooting, so we can start producing lasting fruit.
But God, who is not without understanding of the human condition, from Creation to the book of Revelation, has a solution. The answer, the only answer to fear is perfect love. Anywhere you have a fear, any fear of anything or anyone is an indicator of a place where perfect love has not penetrated us. Fear is an indicator of a need for love, not for food, sex, money, ministry or any of these other remedies we try. The only cure for fear is love, perfect love.
1 John 4:18 says: “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. Whoever fears is not perfect in love.”
So humanity’s problem is fear, but God’s solution is perfect love. It’s that simple. If we want to live fearless, we do not need to be more bravery, more wealth, more popularity or more anything; we need to heed the call: “Come here!” Revelation 3:20 says: “Listen! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him, and he with Me.”
It is an invitation to Christians, not unbelievers. It is a call to intimacy, to fellowship, to listening, to loving, to being healed, to partnership, to relationship. The Lord is building a bridal company, He is coming back for a bride, which means we must turn to a man.
If you want to be a success in the kingdom, you must be a bride, it is Mary who chose the better portion, not Martha. Sit down with Jesus. Yes, He is man, and yes, men have hurt you, but He is Jehovah Rapha. He, the man, is healing. He is Jehovah Jireh. He, the man, is provision. He is the I AM and He wants a relationship with you, but you must turn to a man, if you want to live without fear, for He is a man and He is perfect love. “Come here!” is God’s solution to man’s problem.
Lisa Great is an author, speaker and blogger with Mouthpiece Ministries International. She has been in ministry for over 25 years, she has a BA in Youth and Family Studies, a MA in Education. She can be reached at mouthpieceministries.net;
Janet Perez Eckles 
Shawn Akers 
Abby Trivett 
