We are continuing our look at the prayer Paul describes in Colossians 1:9-14. Paul talks about 4 things that are part of God’s will. Today we are looking at the first one he describes, “Bearing fruit in every good work.”
Ephesians 4:11-12
“So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.”
Jesus gave apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers, for the purpose of equipping the saints for works of service. Which means we have duties and responsibilities that require our attention.
1 Peter 4:10
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”
We have been given gifts to use to serve others. We have an over abundance of God’s grace to distribute to those around us. There is no concept in the Bible of being filled up to be poured out. The truth that Jesus continually talks about, is Jesus the source of all life, living in us and constantly flowing from us. This truth leaves no room for lack or fear of running out. It’s a small perspective shift with massive benefits.
Ephesians 2:8-10
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
This passage is fun because it talks about the true perspective of “good works”. Good works is not about earning our position in God. It’s from our position in God that we do good works. If we do good works to earn our position we work from a perspective of lack. When we work from our position in God, we do if from a place of abundance.
Jesus says in John 15:5
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
It’s not even possible to bear fruit to earn our position. Bearing fruit is the proof that we are connected to the source of life.
Jesus said in John 15:1-4
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.”
Bearing fruit in every good work comes from understanding first, that we live our lives from our position in God. And second, that we have been given duties and responsibilities with the gifts to fulfill them.
“If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit.”