Fruit of Righteousness – Pastor David Ibiyeomie
TOPIC: Fruit of Righteousness
Our calling goes far beyond the foot of the cross. Our calling does not end at the cross, but begins at the cross. Our salvation is not the completed work of God but the beginning of what God seeks to do in our lives.
Philippians 1: 6 – Being confident of this very thing that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;
The word ‘work’ taken from verse 6 comes from the Greek word ergon, which literally means ‘to produce an accomplished product by hand’
Paul is telling you to be confident in your fellowship in the gospel knowing that your relationship with God means that God works in you with individual, careful attention so that He can bring you into heaven as an accomplished treasure fashioned by His own hand. You are an individual treasure with such immense value that the Bible says that the entire world does not compare to the value of your soul.
Fruit of Righteousness – Pastor David Ibiyeomie
Be sincere: To be sincere means to be found pure when unfolded and examined by the sun’s light. We easily justify our actions but God unfolds our hearts and examines our intents along with our actions. You might tell yourself that you are acting out for noble reasons, but God unfolds your intentions like a book. His word reveals whether your motives were out of love or self-centeredness. Your goal should be to live sincerely to do His will so that when you are examined, you will be found pure in the light of His word.
Philippians 1:9-11– And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; 10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ. 11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
“The fruit of righteousness” refers to what is produced in you as you operate in love, pursue excellence, and maintain your integrity. It includes every attitude and action consistent with God’s standard of what is right.
“Having been filled” speaks of something that happened in the past with continuing results. At your salvation, the seed of righteousness was planted within you. It bears righteous fruit throughout your lifetime. On the day of Christ, that fruit will confirm your salvation.
Fruitfulness has always been the acid test of true salvation. Jesus said, “If you abide in my word, then you are truly disciples of Mine” (John 8:31). When John the Baptist admonished his followers to “bring forth fruits in keeping with repentance” (Luke 3:8), he was speaking of good deeds (vv. 10-14).
Paul said we are God’s workmanship, “created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Eph. 2:10) John said that all who profess Christ should live as He lived (cf. 1 John 2:6).
Bearing spiritual fruit is not something you can achieve on your own. It comes through Jesus Christ (Phil. 1:11). Jesus Himself said, “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:4-5).
You were redeemed to glorify God through righteous deeds. Make that your priority today.
God bless you.