The danger of fruitlessness
A major reason why God did not call us home but left us on earth after our salvation was so that we will bear fruit: “You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain…” (John 15:16). These fruits are outputs, results or returns God expects from our lives because of the investments He has made in us (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:15, John 15:1-8, Matthew 24:13-30, 2 Corinthians 5:15, Ephesians 2:10, Galatians 2:20). There are “foundational” fruits God expects from each of His children, for example, the fruits of the Spirit (see Galatians 5:22-23) and the fruits of making disciples (see Matthew 28:18-20). There are also other fruits, which are exclusive to you because of the gift(s) God has given you: “As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (1 Peter 4:10)” and “since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly…” (Romans 12:6).
Because bearing fruit is one of our major job descriptions, the consequences for failing to do so can be very severe: “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. “Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away” (John 15:1-2). This truth is repeated several times in Scripture. Luke 13:7 reads,“And he said to the vineyard-keeper, ‘Behold, for three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree without finding any. Cut it down! Why does it even use up the ground?’” We also read in Hebrews that “For ground that drinks the rain which often falls on it and brings forth vegetation useful to those for whose sake it is also tilled, receives a blessing from God; but if it yields thorns and thistles, it is worthless and close to being cursed, and it ends up being burned” (Hebrews 6:7-8). Again we read: “For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away” (Matthew 25:29).
With these, we can see that one of the tragedies that can befall any Christian is to simply exist without bearing fruit. There are those who will make it to heaven but will have no fruits because their works will be burned when passed through fire. Such individuals will be saved but as those barely escaping through fire (1 Corinthians 3:10-15). From Jesus’ description of those who will qualify to reign with Him in the Millennium (e.g., Revelation 2:26-28, Revelation 20:4-6), I believe these group of Christians, who will be saved as through fire, are excluded from the first resurrection as well as reigning with Christ in the Millennium when He returns. But for those believers who do not only fail to bear good fruits but make a practice of sin without repentance, they are excluded from entering and inheriting the kingdom: “Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: sexual immorality, impurity, indecent behavior, idolatry, witchcraft, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:19-21). Jesus also said “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter” (Matthew 7:21). May these deliver us from the deception of “once saved forever saved; no matter how you choose to live”.
Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall (1 Corinthians 10:12).
To be continued.
Kwadwo Omari
August 20, 2022
A Very Important Message
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life (John 3:16). For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23). Therefore, If you do not know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, I invite you to put your faith in Him. Pray the prayer below to accept Jesus Christ as your Saviour: “I come to you God in Jesus’ name and surrender my life unto you. I repent of my sins and I ask You to forgive me all my sins. I confess with my mouth that Jesus is Lord, and I believe with my heart that God has raised Jesus from the dead. I thank you God for saving me, in Jesus name, Amen”. If you sincerely prayed this prayer, believe and be assured that you are saved, for the Bible says that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved (Romans 10:13, Romans 10:9-10, Acts 16:31). Find a Bible believing church to attend so that you can be discipled to grow in the ways of God. You can also email me ([email protected]) and I will be happy to grow together with you in Christ.