CHRISTIAN FRUITFULNESS

"Let no one deceive you with empty arguments [that encourage you to sin], for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience [those who habitually sin]. So do not participate or even associate with them [in the rebelliousness of sin]. For once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of Light [live as those who are native-born to the Light] (for the fruit [the effect, the result] of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn [by experience] what is pleasing to the Lord [and letting your lifestyles be examples of what is most acceptable to Him--your behavior expressing gratitude to God for your salvation]. Do not participate in the worthless and unproductive deeds of darkness, but instead expose them [by exemplifying personal integrity, moral courage, and godly character]; for it is disgraceful even to mention the things that such people practice in secret. But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light [of God’s precepts], for it is light that makes everything visible." (Ephesians 5:6-13 AMP)

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." (Galatians 5:22-23)

And [His gifts to the church were varied and] He Himself appointed some as apostles [special messengers, representatives], some as prophets [who speak a new message from God to the people], some as evangelists [who spread the good news of salvation], and some as pastors and teachers [to shepherd and guide and instruct], [and He did this] to fully equip and perfect the saints (God’s people) for works of service, to build up the body of Christ [the church]; until we all reach oneness in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, [growing spiritually] to become a mature believer, reaching to the measure of the fullness of Christ [manifesting His spiritual completeness and exercising our spiritual gifts in unity]. So that we are no longer children [spiritually immature], tossed back and forth [like ships on a stormy sea] and carried about by every wind of [shifting] doctrine, by the cunning and trickery of [unscrupulous] men, by the deceitful scheming of people ready to do anything [for personal profit]. But speaking the truth in love [in all things--both our speech and our lives expressing His truth], let us grow up in all things into Him [following His example] who is the Head--Christ. From Him the whole body [the church, in all its various parts], joined and knitted firmly together by what every joint supplies, when each part is working properly, causes the body to grow and mature, building itself up in [unselfish] love. (Ephesians 4:11-16 AMP)

Christian fruitfulness, also known as spiritual fruitfulness, can be described by two key components: holy conduct and faithful service.

Christian fruitfulness, in other words, refers to the development of Christian virtue (character) and the deployment of Christian service (ministry).

Christian virtue is love, righteousness, godliness, goodness and, simply put, the fruit of the Spirit.

This Christian virtue is what is the Bible refers to as  walking worthy of the Lord who called you to salvation. 

The holy or godly Christian walk is Christian fruit.

It includes humility, honesty, holiness and honor.

Below are some beautiful insights shared by Bible teacher and pastor, John MacArthur, along the lines of the Christian life, walk or fruit:

"Spiritual growth is the cultivation of godly habits." 

"A life of love, excellence, integrity and good works glorify God."

"Meekness is the willingness to suffer than to inflict suffering."

"Humility is the number one ingredient in the Christian walk, a walk that is worthy of the Lord Jesus Christ." 

Christian service is typically of two kinds: evangelism and edification.

Evangelism refers to actions and activities aimed at winning lost souls and integrating them into a local gathering of the Body of Christ. It is service that reaches out to share, present or proclaim the Truth of Gospel of Jesus Christ to the unsaved man.

Edification refers to actions and activities of service aimed at mutually supporting, building, encouraging, exhorting, motivating, inspiring, helping, relieving and comforting fellow believers in the Church. It is service that reinforces or strengthens the faith, love, growth and unity of members in the Body of Christ.

Christian service, also called spiritual ministry, requires ministry gifts and spiritual gifts.

Ministry gifts are specifically gifted men with the leading roles or functions and spiritual oversight responsibilities of feeding, equipping, training and maturing the saints to do the work of serving each other within the Body of Christ, and the work of Christian service or spiritual ministry in general. 

Spiritual gifts are different abilities and combinations of abilities given to every believer by The Spirit of God to be deployed in love for Christ and His Church, with Christian virtue or godly character, for the mutual edification of the Body of Christ and to the Glory of God.

The personal and practical experience of Christian fruitfulness is facilitated by the responsibility and response of the believer to The Word and The Spirit of God. This can be captured in the powerful attitude and action of dependence and discipline. 

On the one hand, we completely trust God "who works in us to will and do His Good Pleasure". We depend on the supply (provision and production) of The Spirit of God within us for the inward "power of godliness" beyond the outward "form of godliness".

One the other hand, we discipline and commit ourselves to the Lord in complete surrender and personal devotion through constant prayer and The Scripture. As we “pray without ceasing” and “abide in God’s Word”, we receive the continuous flow of illumination of Divine Truth and strengthening of The Holy Spirit. 

This is what essentially and effectively powers the Christian life to produce Christian fruit. 

In conclusion, the goal of Christian fruitfulness is Christlikenes: that is, growing to be more like Christ. 

The degree of Christlikeness in a Christian is the index or measure of their spiritual maturity.

In the words of John MacArthur: "The goal of our holiness is to be like Christ. The mark of our holiness is Christlikeness."

To God be the Glory for this Great Grace!