Success in God's Eyesنموونە

Doing Fruit

Yesterday, we explored the being Fruit that develops from within our lives by the Power of the Holy Spirit. As this Fruit of Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control grows within us, we become more like Jesus and better represent Him to the world around us. Growth and health of the being Fruit strengthens the inner person in preparation to bear external, or what I call doing Fruit. Paul talks about the doing Fruit in Ephesians 2:10:

"For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

You and I are God's handiwork- some translations use the word "masterpiece." We are like works of art or sculpture crafted by the most Amazing of Artisans. The Master Craftsman has created you with a Purpose. What is that Purpose? To do the Good Works that God has prepared for you in advance. You were created to join God in the Good that He is doing, to make a Kingdom impact, to be an influencer, and to bear Kingdom Fruit with your life.

God has put these Good Works in your path, but will you be prepared to listen to and act on them?

In Acts 10:38, Peter gives a snapshot of the "doing" Fruit in Jesus' Life. He explains that:

"...God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him."

Peter made it clear that the Ministry of Jesus was defined by doing good and taking back territory from the devil. As disciples of Jesus, we have the same Calling- to do good and to take back from the devil that which rightfully belongs to God.

This is my Calling and yours.

I do it primarily in the context of a church, but you may do it in a different context. You may carry this Calling into a real estate office, classroom, or utility company. You may carry it as a homemaker, an entrepreneur, or onto a construction job site as you make something with your hands.

What is your Calling?

You and I are Called to do Good Works and to take back what rightfully belongs to God. We live in a world in which the enemy has stolen things that do not belong to him. As disciples of Jesus, we have the privilege and responsibility to walk into the Good Works God has prepared for us in advance and to take back from the enemy what rightfully belongs to God.

Today, ask the Holy Spirit to show you the Good Works God has prepared in advance for you. Keep the conversation going throughout the day. Ask things like,

"Lord, what do you have next for me?"

"How can I do Good Works in this situation?"

"How can I be a part of taking back territory from the enemy here and now?"

We bear doing Fruit when our influence in the world around us brings God-honoring results.

Are you having such an influence?

Question for reflection:

What Good Works have you been a part of recently that have brought God-honoring results?