The righteous keep moving forward, and those with clean hands become stronger and stronger. (Job 17:9)
Life has its challenges and this isn’t an understatement. Each of our lives are filled with testimonies that are novel worthy if we were to ever courageously place the words on paper for all to read. With life’s ups and downs, it’s possible to believe it’s easier to just stop and set up a tent for a permanent dwelling in the valley of barrenness. Although the temptation is present at times, a greater presence remains unmoveable within. The great Shepherd leads you ever so gently forward. (Isaiah 58:11 ESV) His leading is of utmost love with your joy and delight in mind. Your destiny awaits. Your inheritance is that of fruitfulness and multiplication. Barrenness is not a part of the kingdom.
The very nature and DNA of the Father has been given to each of us the moment we were born again. (1 John 3:9 & 2 Peter 3-4) This is one of the great mysteries of our faith, that God shares his nature with us. This “DNA” received from our heavenly Father determines what we look like and how we act. In other words, our lives should bring forth evidence called fruit that testifies of what’s been deposited in us by His divine power.
In the Gospels, Jesus told the story of a sower who went out to sow seed. The seed fell on various types of ground. Some of the ground was rocky and hard. Other ground was receptive, but weeds choked out the seed. But there was a portion of ground that was neither rocky nor weedy, and in that soil the seed took root. Jesus said that this was a picture of the different people who hear the gospel. Those who are true believers will bring forth fruit (Luke 8:15).
So what does fruitfulness look like in the life of a believer? Fruitfulness is Holiness (1 John 3:9), Good character (Gal. 5:22), life transformation (1 Cor. 6:9), and multiplication (Gen. 35:11). Each area is worthy of study. However, let’s look at multiplication in a little more detail. I’ve recently begun to see faithfulness and fruitfulness in two different lights. Faithfulness is a fruit of the Spirit and one we should all aim to see added to our faith. However, when it comes to multiplication faithfulness is not merely the ability to maintain what God has entrusted to us, but rather it’s the ability to multiply it. If you look at the parable in Matthew 25:14-30, this becomes all the more clear. Those that were faithful MULTIPLIED what was entrusted to them. The one who was wicked only maintained what was given to him because of fear.
This faith journey undoubtedly is an adventurous one! We must continue moving forward, pressing in, and believing for the impossible! We are called and fully equipped to go and bear much fruit that our Father be glorified!
Questions
1. What are some evidences of your faith since you first believed?
2. Review and discuss each of the evidence of fruitfulness with the scriptures mentioned above. (Holiness, Good Character, Life transformation, multiplication)
3. Are you discipling or pouring your life into someone? If not, what is the Lord speaking to you concerning how you are to approach this Kingdom commission/assignment?
