Fruitfulness is a major purpose for every Christian. However all too often we view fruitfulness as outward achievements or accomplishments. I think the real issue of fruitfulness is the believer’s acquisition of Christ-like qualities and characteristics. An obvious “proof-text” for this is found in the book of Galatians:
Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
All of these are characteristics of the soul. These characteristics need to be the measure of all actions, thoughts and words. If we are truly inhabited by the Spirit of God we will find that His primary interest is to develop these characteristics within us. Having been developed they will appear to be our own, but don’t be fooled by that, these are the fruits of His presence. Rather than taking pride in such characteristics we would be far more accurate to express a gratefulness to God in that He has progressively rescued us from the acrid nature of ourselves.
It is a high and holy privilege to be the children of God and to begin to experience the opportunity to acquire and enjoy His own nature.
2 Peter 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
What a privilege to be “in Christ”.
