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To the editor,
Jesus in His sermon in the plain teaches us that the treasures of man's heart are seen in the fruit that he brings forth in his life. Good treasures bring forth good and evil treasures bring forth evil (Luke 6:5). In His sermon on the mount He compares man to trees and teaches us that "good trees bringeth forth good fruit but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit" (Matt 7:17). He also teaches that "a good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit: (Matt 7:18). And that man will be known by the fruits he brings forth (Matt 7:20).
Since Adam's fall (Gen.3:1-6) man has been born with a corrupt heat and has not the ability to bring forth good fruit (Isa.64:6; Jer. 17:9; Rom. 3:10-12). Man cannot change his own heart (Jer. 13:23) so God must do it for him by the working of the Holy Spirit when He regenerates man's heart (Ezek. 36:26-27; John 3:5-8). Once man's heart is changed he can then bring forth the good fruit of the Spirit.
That fruit is love (toward God and others), joy (delight in God), peace (harmony with God), longsuffering (self control in difficult circumstances), gentleness (mildness of temper), faith (assent of the mind to the Truth of God's word), meekness (humility, submission to divine will without murmuring) and temperance (self control). Note that fruit is singular so all that are led by the Spirit will have all of these qualities at some level in their lives.
Jim Batt
Mexico, PA
Check racism at the door
To the editor:
Today at Walmart (one of my favorite stores), I was waited on by a sweet little girl who has always been courteous and efficient. I saw she was in tears as she told me the prior customer said "You can't wait on me, you are black." The woman then moved to another line insisting that the clerk going on break wait on her first. I was shocked at the bigotry and racial slurs aimed at this young girl. I let the tearful young girl know that the rest of us do not feel that way, that we like her and we appreciate her.
To the customer, the young girl is working. Many in this time do not show that initiative. Keep your offensive bigotry to yourself and do not hassle the working. The only one that was really offensive was that customer! To her, you will face Jesus someday with how you treated the young girl and maybe the one refused will be you!
Carol Bishop
Lewistown