Young People's Group

BEARING FRUITS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

May 18, 2014

The Upward Call Of God

Are you moving upwards in your spiritual life? This is a good time for us to reflect on our faith and life as we near the halfway mark of 2014. Have we made definite progress in our walk with the Lord? This resounding challenge to press towards the upward call of God was powerfully preached by Pastor at Youth Conference 2013. This year at YPG, we have been continuing to consider this idea of being better Christians and servants of the Lord. We have been exhorting all to grow in how we relate, serve and pray. Young people, have we made progress?

Praying For Fruits Of Righteousness

One of the ways to evaluate whether we have made headway spiritually is to check our spiritual fruits. The apostle Paul not only prayed for the Philippians that their love would abound. He also prayed that they would bear fruits of righteousness.

1. Seeking To Be Fruitful Trees Of Righteousness

“Being filled with the fruits of righteousness …” 
Philippians 1:11

The kind of fruits we have in our life is crucial. They should be fruits of righteousness. The word “Filled” in the Greek is in the perfect tense. In other words, the fruit-bearing had already been on-going for the Philippians. They were growing strong and becoming like healthy fruit trees. They had deep roots in the Lord and His word (Psalm 1) and they were now bearing fruits. This was more than just having imputed righteousness. They were living in righteousness of life. They were bearing the fruit of the Spirit which was in all goodness, righteousness and truth (Ephesians 5:9). Young people, are you praying to be righteous in all that we do in life and ministry?

2. Seeking To Be Christ-Centred In Our Fruit Bearing

“Which are by Jesus Christ …” 
Philippians 1:11

Paul noted that it was by the Lord Jesus Christ that these fruits would be obtained. Firstly, we can be fruitful through abiding in the Lord Jesus. Our Saviour is the true vine and we are His branches. When we are constantly connected to Him and abiding in His word and love, we will bear much fruit (John 15:1-8). Secondly, we can be fruitful in Christ through Him interceding for us. If we ask the Father anything in the Lord’s name, He may do it so that we may bear fruit and that our fruit may remain (John 15:16). The Lord Jesus is our only meditator and He intercedes for us (1 Timothy 2:5). Let’s be challenged to pray that we may abide in the Lord and He in us. Let’s also pray that He would prune our life (John 15:2) that we will be even more fruitful in our life and ministries.

3. Giving All Glory And Praise To God Through Our Fruit Bearing

“To the glory and praise of God.” 
Philippians 1:11

As we seek to bear fruit in our life, our ultimate goal is that we may bring glory and praise to God. The glory should never be about us and what we have achieved for the Lord. The fruitfulness of our life should be geared towards one goal, and that is to give continuous praise and glory to God. This was Paul’s first and last thought as he wrote his epistles. It was all about bringing glory and honour to our great and almighty God. Let’s also seek to make sure that this is also our constant goal as we seek to bear fruits for Him.

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