For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:5-8
The benefits of spiritual fruitfulness far outweigh the sacrifices believers are called to make throughout their Christian journey. To some people the pursuit of holiness is a burdensome chore that is depriving them of their ability to live life on earth to the fullness and have fun. They lament the level of self-control and intentionality required to cultivate a life of holiness. Thus, underestimating the benefits of having a relationship of loving union with God through Christ.
As stewards of spiritual fruitfulness, we are to make every effort to add to our faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness. Believers should always pray and strive for holiness. Holiness is the spiritual mark that identifies us as redeemed children of God and joint heirs with Christ. It is mandatory for spiritual fruitfulness.
The pursuit of holiness helps us “acquire moral virtues, rightly ordered passions, and a well-functioning conscience” (David P. Gushee). It provides the framework or context for making the right decisions. The pursuit of holiness is the pathway for having right dispositions and motives that ultimately lead to making right choices.
Stewards of Spiritual fruitfulness must persevere in godliness. The way one becomes holy is by persevering in struggle and thus growing in virtue with the help of the Holy Spirit. Our spiritual fruitfulness is a direct result of prioritizing God and the things of God over personal preferences and desires.
The greatest privilege afforded to humanity is to enter into a relationship with God and to represent Him on earth. That privilege comes with some responsibilities that are compulsory for bearing spiritual fruits. Some of those responsibilities include cultivating praying without ceasing and studying the word of God persistently and faithfully. Spiritual fruitfulness comes through steady spiritual practices. One does not become a good spiritual steward by osmosis. We have to exercise our spiritual muscles so we can possess the spiritual qualities in increasing measure that will keep us from being ineffective and unproductive in our knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ as spiritual stewards.
Spiritual stewards care not only about their individual fruitfulness, but also the fruitfulness of others in the body of Christ. This is demonstrated through their encouragement of others, the way they prioritize communal worship and fellowship, and their willingness to invest in local, national, and international mission work. They willingly give of their time, talents, and financial resources “to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:12-13).
As stewards of spiritual fruitfulness, we must give ourselves over to Jesus Christ through His Holy Spirit daily and letting Him change us. Our spiritual mantra should always be, “not my will, but your will be done” in and through me. Our goal should always be to let the world see the Christ in us and glorify the name of God. Therefore, we must remain spiritually focused, faithful, and fearless in living a Christ-centered life by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Questions for Personal Reflection
How are you operating as a steward of spiritual fruitfulness?
What are the benefits of being a good steward of spiritual fruitfulness?
Prayer-Blessed Lord, I thank you for salvation and calling me into a relationship of loving union with you. May my hunger for holiness and my thirst for righteousness never be satisfied or quenched so that I can remain hidden with Christ in God.
Yorumlar