A PRODUCTIVE AND FRUITFUL CHRISTIAN II

In Philippians 2, we have a checklist of a different sort—qualities of a productive Christian servant. The first several verses of this chapter describe a servant leader as they reveal the mind of Christ and His humility. But then Paul turns a corner and gives a series of personal admonishments. In these verses, we see five characteristics of a Christian servant: 

1. CONSISTENT

Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.—Philippians 2:12

As spiritual leaders, isn’t this the verse that we pray for our children, Sunday school classes, church families—those we lead in any area? We desire that their Christian walk would be consistent at all times.

Our own walk should also be consistent! There shouldn’t be a duplicity in who we are “on the job” compared to who we are when we are with our families or alone with our thoughts.

There should be unquestionable, predictable constants in our lives that include integrity, graciousness, humility, and faithfulness.

2. YIELDED

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.—Philippians 2:13

We tend to put a great deal of emphasis on what we do, but this verse reminds us that it starts in what we will. To be who God wants us to be, we must surrender our wills to Him and allow Him to shape our desires.

3. RIGHT SPIRIT

Do all things without murmurings and disputings:—Philippians 2:14

When we find ourselves murmuring about everything and disputing with everyone, we can be sure that our circumstances and our co-laborers are not the problem. It is our heart that needs to be adjusted. Generally, a riled spirit is a sign of an unyielded heart. When I find my spirit is agitated, I do well to remember Philippians 2:13 and yield to the Lord to make me willing for a changed heart.

4. GODLY TESTIMONY

That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;—Philippians 2:15

Do we not live in a crooked and perverse nation? Then we have all the more reason to shine with untainted lights.

Blameless is an interesting and important word. It means unsubstantiated.People can say anything they want to tarnish our character and cast aspiration on our motives—and they do! But it is our responsibility to see that none of it is true.

5. WITNESS FOR CHRIST

Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.—Philippians 2:16

Paul’s epistles are rich in athletic metaphors. The picture in this verse is of a runner extending his lit torch while finishing his race. We can’t control the darkness around us, but we can keep holding forth the word of life—we can continue to preach the gospel and invest our lives in eternity.

I look forward to “the day of Christ,” and it is my heart’s desire that I will have run faithfully and laboured fruitfully until that day.

These verses from Philippians 2 challenge me to look past my to do lists and run with a quality of heart that brings honour to the Lord.

A PRODUCTIVE AND FRUITFUL CHRISTIAN

Fruit can be either good or bad (Matthew 7:18; Luke 6:43). Romans 7:5 says, “For when we were in the realm of the flesh . . . we bore fruit for death.” A fruitful Christian will produce better results: “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life” (Proverbs 11:30). Fruit is the direct result of whatever controls our hearts (Matthew 15:19). The fruit of a life not surrendered to Jesus includes “sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery, idolatry and witchcraft, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage,” and many more evil acts (Galatians 5:19–20). In contrast, the fruit of the Spirit of God is “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22–23).

If we are going to be productive and fruitful Christians, then we need to live by the same principles that Jesus taught his disciples. What are the principles that will enable each of us to live a productive life?

God the Father is the gardener (John 15:1), and He desires us to be fruitful. Jesus said, “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” (John 15:5). As branches cling to the vine, we cling to Christ, drawing our very life from Him. The goal is “much fruit,” as Christ uses us to bring about blessed, celestial results in a broken, fallen world.

When we have committed ourselves to Christ and live to please Him, the natural result is behavioural choices that look like His. He was clear that true followers of Christ will be recognizable by their fruit: “Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them” (Matthew 7:16–20).

There are many ways Christians can be fruitful. True fruitfulness begins in the heart with the fruit of the Spirit. That inner fruit affects outward actions; our words and our activities will glorify the Lord, and God’s will is accomplished. God’s desire is to transform us into the image of Christ (Romans 8:29) and make us as fruitful as He was. In our allegiance to Him, we want to be characterized by good works (Ephesians 2:10; Titus 2:7;Colossians 1:10), humility (Ephesians 4:2; Titus 3:2), and forgiveness (Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:13). We want to always be ready to “give an account for the hope that is within you” (1 Peter 3:15). We desire to be the “good soil” Jesus spoke of in the Parable of the Sower in Matthew 13:3–9. The result of spiritual fruitfulness is that God is glorified, we grow, and others come to know Christ—this is the ultimate fruitfulness for a child of God (Matthew 5:16; Acts 20:26–27; Mark 16:15).