Devotional

THE GIFT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS AND FRUIT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

April 17, 2020 · Lanre Oyeleke · 2 views

Phil1:9-11 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God. NIV

Apostle Paul was a man of depth in kingdom mysteries. The New Testament church owe most of her fundamental theology to the revelations of Paul. This great Apostle introduced us to a new testament benefit that we received by grace when we came to the cross. It is called the gift of righteousness. In 2Cor 5:21, Paul said, "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God"(NIV). We are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. Hallelujah! You don't need to carry your guilt around neither should you be afraid to come into God's presence because you feel unworthy. When God sees you, he's not seeing a weak, guilt-ridden sinner but a saint. Glory!

You didnt work for this gift neither did you do anything special to merit this gift. It is purely an act of God's extravagant grace. If the devil brings your past against you by accusing you of your sins, you can step into the understanding of your righteousness in Christ to shut his mouth. However, Paul introduced us to another concept about righteousness that we often overlook. It is called the fruit of righteousness. We may be consumed with the wonders of the gift of righteousness and forget about the fruit the gift should produce in us. Paul prayed for the saints in Philippi, "May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ —for this will bring much glory and praise to God" (Philippians 1:11 NLT).

The fruit of righteousness is the righteous (Christ-like) character that our lives should produce. Paul's prayer was not centred on the gift of righteousness because it is irrevocable (Rom11:29) and you cannot be made more righteous than you were yesterday. However, the manifestation of the fruit of righteousness differ from person to person based on individual growth and maturity in Christ. From now till the day we see Christ in glory, God is expecting that we produce the fruit of righteousness abundantly. Paul's prayer showed that it is the fruit that will bring much glory and praise to God.

Action point

Father, fill me with the fruit of righteousness so that my life will bring much glory and praise to you In Jesus name.

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