What God Calls Fruit
Fruitfulness that counts with God is detailed in II Peter 1:5-15.
- Luke 13:6-9 The Parable of the Fig Tree
- The Lord Jesus Christ seeks fruit from every member of every church in His kingdom.
- He will cut down those members without fruit after a space of time for repentance.
- For a full exposition and application of this parable of Jesus, see “Cut It Down.”
- John 15:1-11 Disciples Bear Fruit and Have Full Joy
- Fruitbearing requires abiding in Jesus Christ, which is believing and obeying Him.
- Branches that do not bear fruit are taken away, withered, and burned in judgment.
- Branches that do bear fruit are pruned, so that they will bear more fruit to God’s glory.
- God is glorified through much fruitbearing, which is the true mark of disciples indeed.
- The lesson of fruitbearing in this passage is to the intent disciples might have full joy.
- II Peter 1:5-15 Fruit and Its Benefits Are Listed
- Here are eight things that Peter carefully defined as fruit to prove election and heaven.
- If these things abound in a man, it proves he is fruitful in the knowledge of Jesus Christ.
- If these things are lacking in a man, at best he is a carnal Christian with a worldly view.
- Therefore, great diligence should be given to bear these confirming proofs of election.
- Therefore, God’s ministers should make frequent mention of these things to all saints.
- Faith. This is the complete confidence and trust in God and His promises that enable a believer to resist doubts and fears and zealously obey God’s commandments regardless of difficulty or opposition. See Hebrews 11:1,6; Rom 4:17-21; Eph 6:16; James 1:2-4.
- Virtue. The noble strength and moral purity to do good and right at all times, like the virtuous woman of Proverbs 31, whose husband entirely trusted her in all things. See Prov 31:10-31; 12:4; Ruth 3:11; Phil 4:8; Acts 17:11; Matt 5:8; Jas 1:27; I John 3:3.
- Knowledge. The increase in understanding of God, His word, righteousness, and wisdom to approve excellent things in holding the truth and conforming more perfectly to His will. See Phil 1:9-11; 3:10; Col 1:9-10; Eph 1:18; 5:17; Rom 12:2; I Cor 14:20.
- Temperance. The self-discipline and self-control to rule your body and passions in order to avoid those lusts of the flesh and eyes that lead to sin against the Lord. See I Cor 9:24-27; Galatians 5:23; Titus 2:2,11-12; Luke 9:23; Philippians 4:5; Acts 24:25.
- Patience. The ability to cheerfully endure and survive negative events in your life to remain calm and committed to the course of action prescribed by God for you. See Luke 21:19; Romans 5:3-5; 15:4-5; James 1:2-4; 5:10-11; Col 1:11; II Thess 1:4.
- Godliness. Religious sobriety with commitment to conform entirely to God’s character and will for your life in contrast to worldliness or other compromise with sin. See Matt 5:43-48; II Cor 7:10-11; I Tim 4:7-8; 6:3-6; II Tim 3:5; Titus 2:12; Heb 12:28-29.
- Brotherly kindness. The positive aspects of love, in which effort is made to help and serve others with acts of hospitality, kindness, support, warning, and true friendship. See John 13:35; Rom 12:10; Col 3:12; Ep 4:32; I Tim 6:17-19; Heb 13:1; Acts 4:32-37.
- Charity. The negative aspects of love, in which a person forbears, forgives, and overlooks the offences caused by others to maintain peace and unity in a relationship. See Matthew 5:43-48; I Peter 4:8; I Cor 8:1; 13:4-7; 16:14; Eph 4:2; Col 3:13-14.
What Men Call Fruit! |
What God Calls Fruit! |
| Getting new names in the Book of Life | Faith (II Pet 1:5; Gal 5:22) |
| Giving candy bars to fill your church bus | Virtue (II Pet 1:5) |
| Using “40 Days of Purpose” each year | Knowledge (II Pet 1:5) |
| Getting your 3-year-old to accept Jesus | Temperance (II Pet 1:6) |
| Singing in the youth choir or praise band | Patience (II Pet 1:6) |
| Getting any degree from a Bible college | Godliness (II Pet 1:6) |
| Having other people think you spiritual | Brotherly kindness (II Pet 1:7) |
| Being an usher and taking the offering | Charity (II Pet 1:7) |
| Getting annual pins for church attendance | Love (Gal 5:22) |
| Using the Great Commission to live in Paris | Joy (Gal 5:22) |
| Teaching for $5/hour at a Christian school | Peace (Gal 5:22; Jas 3:18) |
| Learning the pledge to the Christian flag | Longsuffering (Gal 5:22) |
| Playing the xylophone for junior church | Gentleness (Gal 5:22) |
| Being early to every single church service | Goodness (Gal 5:22) |
| Dressing your child better than the others | Meekness (Gal 5:23) |
| Getting all your kids baptized before age 5 | Righteousness (Eph 5:9; Jas 3:18) |
| Signing-up a full team for church softball | Truth (Eph 5:9) |
| Teaching AWANA to replace Boy Scouts | Thanksgiving (Heb 13:15) |
| Choosing to be a pastor as your profession | Giving to the poor (Rom 15:28) |
| Wearing a WWJD bracelet to the mall | Holiness (Rom 6:22) |
Popular Sins that Offend God |
Fruit that Stops Those Sins |
| Sexual fantasies | Holiness, Righteousness, Virtue |
| Personal revenge | Love, Charity, Longsuffering, Peace |
| Complaining | Thanksgiving, Patience, Peace, Joy |
| Pride and conceit | Meekness, Righteousness, Holiness |
| Depression | Faith, Patience, Temperance, Joy |
| Exaggerating | Truth, Virtue, Righteousness |
| Hypocrisy | Godliness, Righteousness, Truth |
| Ungodly speech | Holiness, Thanksgiving, Goodness |
| Bitterness and grudges | Love, Charity, Patience, Longsuffering, Peace |
| Drunkenness or gluttony | Temperance, Virtue, Holiness, Righteousness |
| Sexual defrauding | Brotherly kindness, Gentleness, Goodness |
| Railing on government | Godliness, Righteousness, Truth |
| Covetousness | Faith, Patience, Thanksgiving |
| Dishonoring parents | Virtue, Godliness, Righteousness, Holiness |
| Ungodly television | Virtue, Godliness, Truth, Holiness |
| Slothfulness | Temperance, Godliness, Righteousness, |
| Anger and wrath | Temperance, Patience, Gentleness |
| Jealousy and envy | Love, Charity, Brotherly Kindness, Peace |
| Wifely rebellion | Virtue, Temperance, Charity, Peace |
| Overbearing parent | Patience, Charity, Longsuffering, Gentleness |