Bible Study: The best advice on being a fruit-bearing Christian (Philippians 1:11a)

… filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:11a)

Paul, here, talks about the fruit of righteousness – Dikaiosýnē  (Philippians 1:11). Dikaiosýnē is the regular New Testament term used for righteousness. It refers to God’s judicial approval. 

The fruit of righteousness is the fruit of the Spirit. Paul writes to the Church in Galatia: the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy

• peace
• patience
• kindness
• goodness
• faithfulness
• gentleness
• and self-control (Gal. 5:22 -23).

If we claim to live by the Holy Spirit, we must be fruitful. We must bear the fruit of the Spirit.

The fruit of righteousness is the fruit of the Spirit.

Fruit-bearing is evidence of your true discipleship.

The discipleship process involves fruit-bearing. In fact, bearing much fruit is evidence of true discipleship. Jesus said, “bear much fruit and prove to be my disciple (John 15:8)”.

Your life must be full of integrity, godly character and moral courage. Do you bear much fruit?

The discipleship process involves fruit-bearing.

Fruit-bearing is the result of God’s presence within you.

If you belong to God, you will be fruitful (productive). Jesus said, “You will know them by their fruits.

• A good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.
• A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit” (Matthew 7: 16-18).

The fruit of Righteousness is the result of God’s presence within us. Jesus said, If you remain in me and I remain in you, then you will bear much fruit (John 15:5).

If you belong to God, you will be fruitful (productive).

Fruit-bearing is evidence of your spiritual maturity.

Jesus invites us to bear much fruit. Fruit-bearing is evidence of maturity. Spiritual fruit-bearing is evidence of spiritual maturity.

We must grow in integrity, godly character, and moral courage – things that are right in the eyes of God. Jesus prunes us so that we may bear more fruit (John 15:2)

Spiritual fruit-bearing is evidence of spiritual maturity

Fruit-bearing requires your effort.

True, the Holy Spirit – who lives within us – empowers us to bear the fruit of righteousness. However, we must make every effort to add

• Virtue
• Knowledge
• Self-Control
• Steadfastness
• Godliness
• Brotherly affection
• and love to our lives.

Peter reminds us if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:8).

It takes effort to produce fruit. Are you actively working to be fruitful?

It takes effort to produce fruit. Are you actively working to to be fruitful?

As a disciple of Jesus, you need to bear the “fruit of righteousness” and, more importantly, be filled with the fruit of righteousness.

Simply put, your life must be filled with things approved by God – the real, excellent and delightful.

Ready to experience your Aha Moment?

1. Christian life must be full of integrity, godly character and moral courage. Do I bear much fruit?
2. Am I connected to God? 
3. Am I growing in my discipleship? Do I have roots, shoots and fruits?