Fruitfulness

“Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.””Genesis 1:28 NKJV

There was a Pastor who had observed that a particular member of his congregation was always vibrant during the sermon, chanting his feedback about how a good word was often preached. This person had a very weird attitude albeit. He never brought his Bible to church, took notes or actively participated in other important church activities. He would always exclaim chants like “tell them”, “good word” and the like while the pastor preached.

So one day the pastor prayed fervently to God as he prepared a powerful sermon that this man’s heart should be stirred-up to change through the teaching he was going to give. Incidentally, that weekend was accompanied by very heavy rains and a lot of areas were flooded. On Sunday no one came to church because of the havoc the rains had wreaked except for this gentleman. The pastor was shocked but still went ahead to preach his message.

After the service, the young man walked up to the pastor and said; “that was a powerful message pastor. It is unfortunate that those who needed it were not here to hear it”. Many of us like this man receive the seeds of God’s word and plant them in our hearts but our not yielding the expected fruits.

What does God expect from us? Fruitfulness in our:

• Vertical relationship
• Horizontal relationships

Your vertical relationship is your relationship with your maker and creator. In your relationship with God, He expects you to be fruitful and not barren. The requirements for developing and maintaining fruits in your vertical relationship with God demands all of you.

Vertical relationship leads to fruitfulness. Love the Lord with all your heart, your soul, your mind and your strength and love your neighbor as your self. You are enabled see the pathway that leads to fruitfulness and success.

“Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper. The ungodly are not so, But are like the chaff which the wind drives away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish.” Psalms 1:1-6 NKJV

Jesus cut the unfruitful tree. We are called to bear fruits that remain. Bearing fruits helps in securing your relationship with God through Christ Jesus.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,”Galatians 5:22 NKJV

Horizontal relation that leads to fruitfulness entails loving thy neighbor as yourself by expressing compassion, empathy and concern.

“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”” Acts 1:8 NKJV

Why must we be fruitful?

To enable us be ministers of the message of reconciliation and ambassadors of the kingdom of God.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” II Corinthians 5:17-21 NKJV

To help us live our lives as the salt of the earth & light of the world.

““You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:13-16 NKJV

“Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the Lord will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you. The Gentiles shall come to your light, And kings to the brightness of your rising.” Isaiah 60:1-3 NKJV

“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”” Acts 1:8 NKJV

I pray that you are encouraged to live a more fruitful life, bearing glorious fruits as the word has commanded us. Shalom!

Rev. Ron.