THE OUTSTANDING FRUITFULNESS

Success has both mother and father, only failure is an orphan. The true believer in Christ is empowered to succeed in every area of his/her life and as such has entered into a period of outstanding fruitfulness. The period of outstanding fruitfulness is a time of taking root downward and bearing fruit upward (Isa.37:30-32). It is a period of raising up the fallen tabernacle of David (Amos 9:11).

Fruitfulness is God's original plan for man (Gen.1:28). Jesus Christ expects every vine that is planted in His vineyard to bear fruit, otherwise it is near being cursed (Mk.11:12-14; Mt.3:8, 12). God does not tolerate any form of unfruitfulness in life of His children (2Pt.1:8).

When we talk of outstanding fruitfulness, we mean that which does not have comparison, i.e. it is something great, notable, one of its kind.

SPIRITUAL ASPECT OF FRUITFULNESS (2Pet.1:3-8; Matt.3:8; Col.1:10; PhiI.1:11; 4:17): Genuine repentance is the foundation to spiritual fruitfulness (Matt.3:8). Genuine repentance will be accompanied by the fruit of righteousness
(Mt.23:23; Lk.3:10-14; Acts 26:20). True saving faith and conversion must become evident through lives that have forsaken sin and bear godly fruit (Jn.15:16). All Christians are chosen "out of the world" (Jn.15:19) to bear fruit (Jn.15:2, 4-5, 8). This fruit bearing refers to:
(a). Spiritual virtues; such as the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23), namely love, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control (Eph.5:9; Col. 1:6; Heb.12:11; Jam. 3:18).
(b). Working for the conversion of others to Christ (Jn.4:36; 12:24). Those who claim they believe in Christ and are God's children and yet do not live lives that produce good fruit are fakes and are like trees that will be cut down and thrown into the fire (Mtt.3:8-10, 12).

PHYSICAL AND MATERIAL ASPECT OF FRUITFULNESS (Gen.1:28; Deut. 28:4-13; Gen. 26:12): It is God's will that we should be fruitful, not only in spiritual issues but in other aspects of life (3Jn.2). God charged mall to be fruitful and to subdue (conquer) tile Earth at the inception of man's life (Gen.1:28). God expects man to make the best out of all He has given to mall and to fulfill His purpose by mall (Ps.8:6-8; Heb.2:7-9). The Earth and its future were placed under the dominion of mall but man lost out when he sinned (Gen. 3:l4-24; Rom.8:19-22). Jesus came to restore the fruitfulness of man on earth (2Cor.8:9; Rom.8:19-25; 1Cor.15:24-28). God wants us to be materially fruitful (Dt.28:4-13). He wants us to be physically healthy (Ex.15:26). God hates every form of barrenness (Ex.23:25-27; Dt.7:12-15). God wants us to be spiritually, physically, materially fruitful, even to our old age (Ps.92:13-14). Every tree that is truly planted by the court of our God is evidenced by its fruitfulness (Eze.47:12; Ps.1:3). The Lord wants us to break-forth on all sides this period (Isa.54:1-4; 55:5).


CONDITIONS FOR OUTSTANDING FRUITFULNESS
Fruitfulness is a phenomenon desired by all people, businessmen, pastors, farmers, students, etc., who want to be fruitful and fulfilling. No person wants to be unfruitful or barren, yet we still see barren people in every field of life (2 Pet.1:38). What is the cause?

Ø Contact With The Living Water (Ps.1:3; Ezek. 47:7-9): When the scripture says, ‘whatever he does shall prosper’, it does not mean, immunity from failure or difficulties, nor is it a guarantee of health, wealth and happiness. What this Bible passage means by prosperity is this: when we apply Gods wisdom, the fruit (result or by-products) we bear will be good and receives God's approval. Just as a tree soaks up water and bears luscious fruit, we also are to soak up God's word producing actions and attitudes that honour God to achieve anything worthwhile. We must have God's word in our hearts (Josh. 1:8). Failure to do this brings unfruitfulness.

Ø Spiritual Receptivity (Mtt.13:23): The scripture used four types of soil to represent different responses to God's word. People respond differently because they are in different state of readiness. Some are hardened, others are shallow, others are contaminated by distracting worries, and some are receptive. The receptive ones are those that bear OUTSTANDING fruit (Matt. 13:18-23). How has God's word taken root in your life? What kind of soil are you? Your level of receptivity to God's word determines your level of fruitfulness or otherwise.

Ø Death Of Old Life (Jn.12:24): The way to fruitfulness is the way of suffering and death. Unless a grain of mustard is buried in the ground, it will not become a blade of wheat producing many more seeds. Jesus had to die not only to pay the penalty for our sin, but also to show His power over death. His resurrection proves He has eternal life. Because Jesus is God, Jesus can give eternal life to all who believe in Him. The kernel must perish as a kernel if there is to be a plant.

Ø Chastening Or Pruning (Jn.15:2): Jesus speaks of two categories of branches, the fruitful and the fruitless. The branches that ceased to bear fruit are those who no longer have the life in them that comes from enduring faith in and love for Christ. These "branches", the Father cuts off, i.e. separates them from vital union with Christ (Mt.3:10). When they stop remaining in Christ, God then judges and reject them (Jn. 15:6). The branches that bear fruit are those who have life in them because of their enduring faith in and love for Christ. "Those branches", the Father prunes so that they will become more fruitful, that is, He removes from their lives anything that diverts or hinders the vital life flow of Christ into them. The fruit is the quality of Christians’ character that brings glory to God through life and witness (Mt. 3:8; 7:20; Rom. 6:22; Gal.5:22-23; Eph. 5:9; 1:11).

Ø Abiding In Christ (Jn.15:4-5; Rom.6:22; Heb.12:11): After a person believes in Christ and his sins are forgiven, he or she receives eternal life and the power to remain in Christ. Given that power, the believer must then accept that responsibility in salvation and remain in Christ. Just as the branch has life only as it remains in or abides in the tree, so are the believers in Christ, as long as Christ’s life flows into them, as they remain or abide in Him. The conditions by which we remain in Christ are: (a) Keeping God's word continually in our hearts and minds and making it the guide which form our actions (Jn.15:7). (b) Maintaining the habit of constant intimate communion with Christ in order to draw strength from Him (Jn.15:7). (c) Obeying His commands, remaining in love (Jn.15:10) and loving each other (Jn.15: 12, 17). (d) Keeping our lives clean through the word of God, resisting all sin and yielding to the Spirit's directives (Jn.15:3; 17:7; Rom.8:14; Gal.5:16-25; Eph.5:26; I Pet.l:22).