FRUITFULNESS

And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. —Philippians 1:6

May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God. —Philippians 1:11

For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better. But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. So I really don’t know which is better. I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. But for your sakes, it is better that I continue to live. —Philippians 1:21-24

The fruit trees are full, the hay is being harvested and most of the garden crops are in. Some of the pumpkin patch is picked with others still growing. We plant and we water, but God is the One who causes all things to grow (I Corinthians 3:7).

For a person to have truly trusted the Lord Jesus means that there will be fruit in their lives and that God will continue that fruitful work until we see Jesus. This fruit consists of “the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ.” Paul’s desire, God’s desire is that our lives “always be filled with the fruit of your salvation.” This will be the case if we have the same mindset as Paul— “For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better. But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ.”

Paul was “torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. But for your sakes, it is better that I continue to live.” Paul had continued to live because God was going to work in him and through him in such a way as to have a positive influence on others. Is that what is happening in our lives? We are still living as followers of Jesus on this planet still because God is not done doing the work He desires to do in and through us and we are to be positive influences in other people’s lives. Let us be fruitful!

Dear Father, may I bear much fruit and bring glory to Your Name by doing so. May this be done in the authority of Jesus and by the Holy Spirit’s power.