Week 9, Day 4: Bearing Fruit
Today’s Reading: Colossians 3:1-4:18
Some thoughts from yesterday’s reading…
In Paul’s opening remarks to the brethren at Colossae, he states that he gives thanks to God for them because he had heard of the faith that they possessed and because of the love that they had for the saints. We may wonder how Paul could possibly have heard about their situation, let alone their characteristics. But, it seems that word of the great faith found in Colossae traveled to him, most likely by other Christians who had been in their area. In Colossians 1:5, Paul connects the faith and love of these Christians to the hope that they had, which they had heard in the word of truth, the gospel message. In verse 6, he said that the gospel had come to them as it had to the rest of the world, and that it was bearing fruit in them. I want you to consider part of what Paul has to say in this verse:
which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth;
–Colossians 1:6
The gospel had gone forth to this region, and as a result several had become Christians. They continued to use the word of God to “bring forth fruit” in their area. There are many ways that one can bring forth fruit. One way is to teach others the gospel. The fruit that is produced is more souls added to the Lord’s kingdom. Another way to produce fruit is to strengthen those who are already Christians. We can help others to grow in the faith, perhaps bringing them to the point that they have the ability and confidence to go forth teaching the gospel message to others. Perhaps we can bear fruit by developing the characteristics in ourselves or others that reflect the nature that God wants us to have. All of these (and many others) represent growth and the production of “fruit” for the Kingdom of Heaven.
For the Colossian brethren to “bear fruit” they had to be active. They were not going to be able to bear fruit if they were not doing anything at all. Notice that Paul said that the gospel had been bearing fruit and increasing in all the world, as it had been in Colossae. It is interesting to note that Jesus, as He was giving His disciples their final instructions before going back to His throne in Heaven, told them that they were to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15).” Paul could write to this church that the gospel “was preached to every creature under heaven (Colossians 1:23).” The only way that could be accomplished by the hard work of all the first century Christians! The message went out from the apostles, but those who were converted took the message and shared it with others, thus bearing fruit and increasing!
We have the same responsibility today that the church in Colossae had. We must continue to grow and develop ourselves, and share the gospel with others so that they can have the same hope that we have (which is found in the message of the gospel, Colossians 1:5). If Paul were to write a letter to us, could he write with the same enthusiasm? Could he be thankful for our efforts of spreading the gospel? Would he even have heard of our efforts? Let’s be active in our work so that we can be “bearing fruit and increasing” in both spirit and number!
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3 Comments »
Stephanie said :
March 12, 2009 at 7:06 pm
Sad to say, but it seems very few and far between, finding someone to teach or even influence now days. We are definitely an example of some kind to someone by default.
Chad said :
March 12, 2009 at 7:39 pm
There were so many things in these chapters. I especially liked Col 1:27. God willed to make known the riches, the glory of His mystery among the Gentiles. Which is Christ in them. We shine as lights in this crooked and preverse world not because of our own brightness. We shine because we reflect Christ living in us. The words of Christ shape us and are inside us. The thought that we shine because we have Christ in us could be compared to the moon. The moon shines brightly, especially when it is a full moon. And yet the moon has no light in itself. It is only reflecting light from the sun. We shine because we reflect light from the true source of light, Jesus. He is referred to as the true light in John 1:9. So let your light shine so others may see Christ living in you and desire the same hope of glory that we have.
Cynthia said :
March 12, 2009 at 10:12 pm
We can only bear fruit if we stay busy with the right things. Studying, talking to others about the truth, training our children, doing things to help others, and being a good example are all ways we can be busy. If we ignore opportunities to work for God, or are just plain lazy about it, there is no way we can bear fruit!