Good Works Produce Fruit in Life

Good Works Produce Fruit in Life

“And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful.” Tit. 3:14.

Fruit is the mark of a true child of God, and if you are without fruit, you are unsuitable and useless in God’s ranks.

“Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.” John 15:2. Whether anything else has happened with the branch is not the question here. He takes it away when fruit is lacking! It is harmful where it is. Every tree that does not bear fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore you will know them by their fruits. Matt. 7:16-20. Many have spoken in Jesus’ name; they have performed many powerful works in His name and regard it as a matter of course that they will be with Jesus at His return. But the door will be shut, and when they knock they will be chased away. A just sentence will be passed; they have nothing more to say despite their many opinions about themselves. This should produce a godly fear in our life so that we examine ourselves as to whether we are bearing fruit. Our opinions mean nothing here, only the testimony of the Word and the Spirit.

“You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.” John 15:8, 16. “And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful.” Tit. 3:14. We have to learn to do good works. How do these good works become known, works of such tremendous consequence that bear such precious fruits? By no longer living for yourself! Gal. 2:20. Everything that proceeds from our “self” is being removed. The Spirit leads and prompts, and as a result the fruits of the Spirit are manifested: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, self-control, etc. The Lord expects these fruits from all of us, and the person who does not attain to these fruits in his ministry and in God’s work is taken away.

There is much work that is being done, a lot of work that in and of itself appears to be good, but which nevertheless is not good. If you gave away everything you owned to feed the poor, but had not love, it would profit you nothing. The poor person was fed, but you had no fruit from it because you did not have love. You can (for example) do a work of yourself, according to your preference, but you lack humility and consequently do not hear what the Spirit is saying. This matter of good works is a mystery in Christ Jesus. Therefore it must be learned, and those who learn must be humble and listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.

You can continue to keep harmful character traits such as self-importance, conceit, self-consciousness, self-love—having a good opinion of yourself—all of which have their source in the human soul and belong to the old life that ought to have been put off, as the Scriptures say. But, in spite of everything, these are permitted to live, and are the cause of much pain to yourself and to others. Num. 33:55-56.

When a person does not grow in God, he will exalt himself, and instead of boldness of faith and meekness, he will become impertinent.

May we wake up in these last days and listen to the voice of the Spirit, so that God in His grace can lead us to an overcoming life in Christ Jesus.

By God’s grace we have received an ear with which to hear, as many as have received the truth. Those who have not received the truth can neither hear nor understand God’s words. Therefore we, who are in that fortunate state that we understand, ought to make use of the grace that has been given to us, and so much the more as we see the day of Christ’s return approaching.

“Pursue peace with all men, and sanctification, without which no one will see the Lord . . . .” Heb. 12:14. Possessing these fruits that the Spirit brings forth is sanctification, and gives us a share in God’s nature and His very being.

Perhaps you will say, “Can this be possible?” The answer is: Be simple and believe! God’s promises are for you. Only believe and repent, and you will experience it, and you can serve the Lord with thankfulness.