Righteousness, the Fruit of the Soul!
In the last
“Thought” I sent out, I spent a
few words on the correlation between sin and weeds. My sister in Oklahoma
suggested that in turn, I should also spend a moment on the opposite; to
that end, here is a lesson on that which we must spend the greatest amount
of our effort towards in cultivation!
“Fruit”,
as used in scripture, defines the results we are to achieve when directed by
God’s word; a natural by-product of being doers of the word and not hearers
only (James
1:22); a metaphoric extension of
righteous actions!
We can be productive in many ventures in life; however, the fruit we are to
bear to God is only determined by a specific source, note:
Colossians 1:9-10
“For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray
for you, and to ask that you may
be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual
understanding;
10
that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing
Him,
being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God”
In Paul’s letter to Christians in Colossi; he is prayerful that they be
filled with a single source of knowledge and wisdom. To this end, he
describes that by this singular source, they will be able to be fully
pleasing to God (which is a definition of the word righteousness – right
with God), and able to produce fruit in every good work!
The scriptures define bad fruit (that which must be avoided with all
effort):
Galatians 5:19-21;
Ephesians 4:17-19;
Colossians 3:5-7;
Titus 3:12;
etc…
This instructs us that to God, there is fruit that we can bear which is to
Him bitter and useless (the very definition of unrighteousness).
On the other-hand, as the Testament of our Savior is a teaching testament,
it does instruct us towards the character necessary in order to comprehend
what we are to do to produce God’s fruit:
Romans 12:9-21;
Galatians 5:22-25;
Colossians 3:12-17;
Titus 3:13-15;
2 Peter 1:5-11;
etc…
The most important lesson we can garner from
these polar opposites is that if weeds grow without any care, cultivation,
or care by our efforts, and they are symbolic of sin; righteous fruit is
something, on the other hand, that must be our devoted work, day in and day
out.
-
Since an understanding of righteousness comes from knowledge and wisdom
of His Divine word, we must (fertilize and feed):
2 Timothy 2:15
“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need
to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
-
We
cannot rest during this process, lest the weeds invade and consume
(useless trees are cut down and burned –
John 15:6; constant cultivation and nursery care is a must).
1 Corinthians 15:58
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding
in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the
Lord.”
-
God’s
training in righteousness, may at first seem restrictive, and grievous
to the short sighted; however, note the result to those who are trained
by it (a true appreciation of all things that pertain to life and
godliness –
2 Peter 1:3):
Hebrews 12:11
“Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful;
nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to
those who have been trained by it.”
More and more Christians have been overtaken with the weeds of this life!
What has happened to the work ethic of the children of God through Christ
Jesus our King?
Brethren, we must return to the beautiful groves of fruit bearing trees
planted in the righteousness of God, in full appreciation of Jesus Christ
our Savior!
Titus 2:13-14
“looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and
Savior Jesus Christ,
14
who gave Himself for us, that He might
redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself
His
own special people, zealous for good works.”
Remember the words of our Lord to the Jews:
Matthew 7:17-20
“Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.
18
A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor
can
a bad tree bear good fruit.
19
Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the
fire.
20
Therefore by their fruits you will know them.”
How Does He Know Us?
Thanks
Cathy!