THURSDAY August 22, 2024
Fruits of Righteousness
And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
Philippians 1:9-11
There are four specific things Paul prayed for the believers in Philippi. He prayed for an abounding love––the agape love of God––to be evident in their lives. Their love needed to abound––grow more and more. He knew the sinful nature of man––how we can be in the Spirit, loving people one day and not so loving the next. God’s love is a sacrificial and fervent love. Everything we do has to be foundational on the love of God. Among believers, God’s love is the most important spiritual fruit in the church: But the fruit of the Spirit is love... (Galatians 5:22).
Paul wanted the Philippians to understand that, even if they had the spiritual gifts of knowledge and discernment, these would mean nothing if not exercised in love. Love is the greatest spiritual gift. In the book of 1 Corinthians, Paul expounded on this truth: And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing (1 Corinthians 13:2).
How do non-believers know that we are Christians? It is not by our car stickers or our Bibles––it is only through Christ’s love. Jesus said: “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” Love must shine right through us. We also need God’s discernment to know right from wrong, falsehood from truth.
Christians are to be sincere and without offense. The word sincere means “without fault.” Do not be a phony or a hypocrite. We need to have a righteous character that glorifies Christ: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). All these are fruits of righteousness in your life.
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.
~Proverbs 11:30~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
