
“For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” – Colossians 1:9-14
The Apostle Paul give us some ideas on what a life that pleases God looks like throughout many of his books. We’re going to focus on four characteristics found in verses 10-12 that constitute a life pleasing to the Lord. They are: “bearing fruit”; “growing in the knowledge of God”; “being strengthened”; and “giving joyful thanks”. Let’s look at them more closely, reflect on our personal situations, and do some assessment.
Bearing Fruit – What does “bearing fruit” mean? Most of us immediately think of a fruit tree – perhaps an apple or peach tree. It’s an accurate picture for what we’re discussing. If a tree that’s designed to bear fruit doesn’t – what use is it? I suppose you could cut it up and use it for firewood. Christ is speaking about our role in bearing spiritual fruit for His kingdom. Christ actually chose us specifically for this task, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit” John 15:16. At this point, many folks tend to narrow their focus to simply saving souls, or doing something that leads to saving souls (such as preaching the gospel). We cannot save anyone – Christ alone saves. I believe that it’s a two-fold process. We’re called to bear the fruit of the Spirit, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law” Gal. 5:22-23. In pursuing those qualities, which manifest themselves more and more as we dive deeper into relationship with God, the lives we lead, the actions we display to others, and the words we speak will present us with opportunities to introduce the people around us to Jesus Christ and give us the ability to fulfill the Great Commission found in Matthew 28:19-20. Is the fruit of the Spirit visible through you?
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