The dictionary meaning of the word ‘arise,’ means ‘stand up.’ To be fruitful means to produce good results; to be fertile.
In a physical sense, the Lord wants us to prosper in our health and our financial and material wealth. The Bible says in Genesis 1:22, God blessed Adam and Eve and said, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it.”
Intellectually, He wants us to grow in knowledge, wisdom, and understanding, both spiritually and academically.
Spiritually, by living a life pleasing unto God and by being involved in faithful services for His kingdom. Let’s look at the Biblical passage from Mark 11:12-14.
The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus felt hungry. A little way off he noticed a fig tree in full leaf, so Jesus went over to see if he could find any figs on it. But no, there were only leaves, for it was too early in the season for fruit. Then Jesus cursed the fig tree saying, “May no one ever eat the fruit from you again”.
Even though it was not the season for figs, the Lord expected fruit from it. Similarly, He expects us to be fruitful Christians at all times.
How can we be fruitful?
Just like a tree that bears fruit – seed, soil, water, and manure go into it, in the same way, in order to bear spiritual fruits, we have to follow the following steps: –
- Set your priorities right.
- Seek the Lord daily by meditating on His Word.
- Live a life of obedience to Him.
- Lead a prayerful life.
- A witnessing life.
Let me share an illustration with you-
A lecturer walks into a classroom and sets a glass jar on the table. He silently places 2-inch rocks in the jar until no more can fit. He asks the class if the jar is full and they agree it is. He says, “Really,” and pulls out a pile of small pebbles, adding them to the jar, shaking it slightly until they fill the spaces between the rocks. He asks again, “Is the jar full?” They agree.
Next, he adds a scoop of sand to the jar, filling the space between the pebbles, and asks the question again. This time, the class is divided, some feel that the jar is full, but others are wary of another trick. So, he grabs a jug of water and fills the jar to the brim, saying, “If this jar is your life, what does this experiment show you?”
The rocks represent the BIG things in your life what you will value at the end of your life, i.e. your relationship with the Lord matters the most. The pebbles are the other things in your life that give it meaning, like your family, job, house, etc. The sand and water represent the ‘small stuff’ that fills our time.”
Can you see what would have happened if he started filling the jar with the sand or the pebbles?” The rocks would be left out. This is what
many of us Christians are doing, we are prioritizing our lives with the things that are not so important.
Psalms 1:1-3- “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sit 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. And he shall be like a tree planted by the
rivers of water, that brings forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also does not wither, and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”
In John’s gospel chapter 15:4, Jesus says, “Remain in me and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine.
Neither can you be fruitful unless you remain in me.” This is the secret of fruitfulness, in having a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus.
Moreover, as the gardener trims the plants to be more fruitful, so also the Lord trims us spiritually that we should bear much fruit. This can be
a painful process as it can come in the form of chastening. No chastening seems to be pleasant, but later on, it produces the fruit of righteousness. Jesus also told the church at Laodicea, those whom I love I rebuke and chasten. E.g., Paul suffered much in his life in different ways which resulted in him being fruitful in his ministry.
Just as a tree is known by its fruit in the same way we will be known by the fruits in our life. Let us question ourselves what are the fruits seen in me? Is the fruit of the Spirit or the works of the flesh?
The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The acts of the sinful nature are sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition,
dissensions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, orgies, etc.
In 2 Peter 1:5-11, we are given very clear guidance about becoming fruitful Christians. It should be the burning desire of every Christian to become fruitful; the alternative is to remain barren and unfruitful – to be unproductive, like the withered fig tree, (Mark 11:20). How many
Christians are like this! – and the Lord desires that each of us should be fruitful. It is only as we bear fruit that the Lord is glorified.
My dear brothers and sisters, we are living in the end times, no matter how busy you think you are, we will all be accountable to the Lord. What can we take with us? Let us work in the Lord’s vineyard and share God’s word thereby resulting in the salvation of souls. The Bible says he who wins soul is wise.
Let this be our prayer that we may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way; bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.
Mrs. Jean Mahade
U.B.M Christa Preeti Church, Bhandup.
