Fruitfulness: Do We Mature in Obedience?
When we truly know the Father upon building a real and consistent relationship with him, we inevitably experience conviction; this matures us in faith and obedience. I often think of Paul addressing the Corinthians as “infants” in their lack of spiritual maturity, explaining that they were unfit for spiritual “solid food,” still requiring “milk,” disobedient and therefore stagnant in faith.
Brothers and sisters in Christ, let us not do this—merely reading the Word of God on occasion and remaining as we once were, without the powerful Scriptures permeating our hearts and transforming our lives. Sanctification is ongoing—our fruit steadily growing with intention and reception, made richer, ever-increasing and purified day by day. Beginning on the inside, humble maturity radiates outwardly, bringing glory to our Savior.
Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. (James 1:23-25)
Multiplication: Do We Disciple?
When I was younger, I often pondered the parable of the talents, considering the master’s reaction to be rather harsh toward the servant who failed to invest and multiply the money he’d been entrusted. After all, the servant thought he was doing the right thing by simply protecting the funds. But as we grow in our faith, we realize just how much the Lord’s heart desires multiplied fruitfulness. If seeds are planted, there is an expectation that fruit is grown, harvested and populated.
His master said to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.”…For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. (Matthew 25: 21, 29)
In our work in the mission field in Iran, we hold to 2 Timothy 2:2 as the bedrock of all that we do.
And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others (2 Timothy 2:2)
The call is clear: We hear the life-giving Word; we bear fruit by sharing it with others and ‘entrusting’ it with them; we invest in them, building them up in qualification, (character, quality, training, resourcing and preparation); and in turn, they are fruitful and teach others. This is a life of discipleship, growth, fruitfulness and multiplication. This is what we are actively cultivating in our mission to Iran.
Good Soil: Discipling and Multiplication
Just as the parable of the pearl and the field (Matthew 13), we must give up everything for the single greatest treasure that is Christ Jesus. And just as the parable of the woman with the lost coin (Luke 15), we cannot keep something worth celebrating to ourselves, that which is the good news.
When we share the gospel, we bring something that is precious and priceless to people without hope.
Jesus’ concern for fruitfulness and multiplication should be our concern too. We cannot keep our faith to ourselves, harboring it away as a hidden secret like the failed servant.
Instead, like the good and faithful servant, we must invest—invest in people, taking time to build relationships and disciple them in faith, teaching them to do the same with others, that the gospel will multiply throughout the earth.
