To be fruitful is to be productive, to produce good and helpful results in what we do. It is God’s will for us to be fruitful, hence the first blessing he pronounced after the creation of man is: “…Be fruitful, and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground” (Genesis 1:28). Nevertheless, there are conditions to be met in other to fulfil this will of God.
The first condition is to be tied to the umbilical cord of God through our Lord Jesus. How do you do that? The word of God informs us that, Everyone who receives Jesus and believes in his name have become the children of God (Jn 1:12). This is the reason Jesus said “My true disciples produce much fruit. This brings great glory to my father” (Jn 15:8).
Secondly, it is not enough to be tied but to continually abide in Christ. So a fundamental key that makes a person fruitful is abiding in Christ: for in him we live, and move and have our being… for we are his offspring” (Acts 17:28). Jesus, still speaking in Jn 15:4-6 says: “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.”
Thirdly, another crucial key after abiding in Christ is to consciously allow the word of God to tailor our way of living. Jesus states, “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you” (Jn 15:7). Likewise, the Psalmist, speaking under the unction of the Spirit in Psalm one tells us that a fruitful person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not whither – whatever they do they prosper. There is however a condition attached to this, and it states: “ Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord and who meditates on his law day and night.”
Fourthly, to be fruitful in your endeavours, pray that the will of God be established in your life and what you intend to do. Apostle Paul still speaking the mind of God declares: “Therefore, I urge you brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:1-2).
Fifthly, to be fruitful, show true agape love to others. In all our actions and dealings with others, we should be guided and do everything out of love. The kind of love defined in 1 Cor.13:4-7; Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. We are all familiar with Jn 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” If God were loveless, humanity would have ended up in hell where there would be gnashing of teeth, excruciating pain, torture, and sorrow. Jesus also advises us to love one another as he loves us; for “…Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for his friends” (Jn 15-12-13).
I pray that the Lord our God, who is the only source of our fruitfulness, and gives power to make wealth, as well as teach our hands to make profit will empower us with eternal grace to take root, bud and blossom in every good work and good word always in the precious name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Remain ever blessed.
Tflame
