A cure for fruitlessness

Last week we discussed God's view of an unfruitful life.  We concluded that it is an accursed thing, and is to be avoided.  This week we will take a look at the flip side.  In the Bible, wherever there is a problem, there is surely a solution.  Isn't God great?

There has been much said in the body of believers about what it means to be fruitful.  Some equate fruitfulness with the number of souls they have won. Example: Billy Graham- LOTS of souls won.

While this is of supreme importance, I think this impression misses the heart of the matter. It is altogether to easy to get way off track and gauge your own fruitfulness by this metric.  It can be misleading.  However, a fruitful life will lead to soul winning.

The Biblical definition of fruitfulness is found in the scripture:

But the fruit of the Spirit is: love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, meekness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (Gal 5:22-23 MKJV) 

Any pilot knows that the most important piece of equipment in his flight bag is the check list.  There is not one item in this book that is permissible to skip.  It is absolutely essential to safety of flight.  Many of them refer to it as their 'bible'. It is a tool designed to keep their thinking and logical  processes in the right order to properly pilot an aircraft.  It is drafted and written by the aircraft manufacturer and is subject to the laws of aerodynamics and the proper governing authorities.  It is considered sacrosanct.

Here is a nine point checklist for Christians, in order to avoid a spiritual crash. Like the items on a check list, these things are NOT optional, They are REQUIRED. These are nine metrics in which to take your own spiritual temperature.

If you are lacking in any of these areas then it is time to press in closer to God and get it right! There is good news.  God will always forgive, restore, get you back on track, and teach you.  All you need to do is reach out to Him.

Is it possible to win souls without these fruits evident in your life?  Theoretically possible, but not likely. I have seen many attempts to win souls without a fruitful life end in failure, or at very best a cursory, "repeat after me" sinner's prayer.

Is a coerced sinner's prayer really sincere? Only God knows.  But is there a better way?

Does fruit entice? Lots of birds, and bugs, and other animal life think so.

Anyone who knows me, knows that I am not particularly fond of fruit, at least the kind you buy at the store.  Sort of reminds me of wind and clouds, without rain...  

About a year ago I was waiting to get a load (truck driver) in Fernley Nevada.  In the traffic island across the parking lot from me was a skinny, scrawny little apple tree.  It was so sorry, it had to be propped up with a stick.  But it had fruit.  Big fruit.  I tried for some time to ignore it, but after a while I caved in and went to investigate.  It was the BEST apple I've ever had!

The lesson in nature is clear.  You don't have to be the biggest or best, or have a huge ministry to bear good fruit.  You just have to bear good fruit.

As that apple was an enticement to a fruit agnostic like me, shouldn't our lives be an enticement to the sinner, rather than the other way around?

Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him. (Psa 34:8 MKJV) 

Everyone wants to be blessed, even the sinner. If they can see His blessing in our lives, won't they want to taste and see? It has been aptly said that our lives are the only Bible some are likely to ever read.  We need to be living Epistles as the scriptures admonish us to be.

Next week we will wrap up this series by looking at some Biblical and practical ways to live a fruitful life.

Join me, won't you?