BRINGING FORTH FRUIT

Devotions from Colossians  By Darrell Lingerfelt

1:6 Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth:

The Colossians were recepients of our Lord's "Great Commission." Those told to "go into all the world and preach the Gospel" had made it to Colossae as they would to "all the world." 

From verse 5b "whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;" had came to the Colossians and they had learned the free grace of our Lord and Savior who gave Himself for them (as well as for us), and by the faith imparted unto them, they had believed in and on Christ Jesus to the saving of their souls.

The grace of God in truth that had been preached to them was now bringing forth fruit and the news of that fruit production had made it to the ears of Paul. Oh, that that would be the news of all who claim Christ! But alas, not all who claim Christ as Savior, claim Him as Lord. Thus, the evidence of truly bowing the knee to Christ is non existant. What am I saying? These Colossians had submitted themselves fully to the rule and reign of Christ upon conversion. They were steadfastly living and working under His rule having submitted to His Lordship. And under His Lordship, they had been obediently following Him, gladly producing works that honored and glorified Him. They had surrendered to Him completely, and the great grace that was applied to them caused them to throw themselves upon His mercy and under His control. Thus, the good fruit of the tree that is Christ began to be bore by them. Their gratefulness to Christ, their love of Him, their claim of Him as their Lord shown forth in their works in every capacity.

Might that be us today. If we surrendered to His Lordship at salvation it should be so. And if you knew not that you were to surrender to Him as Lord at salvation, then do so now! He is Lord! God has made Him both Lord and Christ, Acts 2:36. Thus all who come to Him must believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. If you are saved, He is Lord of your life already. Therefore, you must obey your Lord, pledging your allegiance to Him alone, bowing to His authority, His will, His Word, His way, seeking to follow His commands and serving Him with gladness of heart for His great love wherewith He first loved us. Then, I believe, that which the Colossians were praised for will be your report as well. Those who turn from the gods of sin, self, and the idols that accompany them, and turn to Jesus as the only Lord and great God of their lives, will produce great fruit. If you are of His kingdom, then you will follow His rules.

Have you this report today? Since you first heard the sweet words of "come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest, have you taken Christ at His word?  Since you heard the words, "take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls," have you so learned Christ that you might be like Him? He says that His "yoke is easy, and His burden is light." Then, my friends, if that be so, and it is, can we not learn of Him as our Lord and do that whch honors and glorifies His name? Most certainly! Pray this hour that you might be like the Colossians and have said about you what was said of them. Glorify the Lord in all you do with fruit fit for the Lord's table.