Based on Romans 1:8-15 (New King James Version)
“First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers, making request if, by some means, now at last I may find a way in the will of God to come to you. For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established—that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. Now I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that I often planned to come to you (but was hindered until now), that I might have some fruit among you also, just as among the other Gentiles. I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise. So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also.”
Michael Jordan once said, “In any investment, you expect to have fun and make money.” Not only is Michael Jordan one of the greatest basketball players the game has ever seen, but he is also a pretty savvy businessman. His natural athletic talent gave him the ability to make a large amount of money as an athlete, but his business making decisions is what has made him one of the wealthiest super star athletes; currently worth approximately about $1.2 billion. Not bad for a Brooklyn-born, North Carolina-raised middle class young man, right? I guess it is fair to say that he knows a little bit about business, despite other challenges he may have had.
I would think it is pretty safe to say that everyone wants to see some sort of yield from things they invest in (and maybe have some fun along the way). I don’t think anyone wants to lose on anything. If a couple buys a house, I think they would like for the value of that property to grow over time. Just like the person that decides to invest in stocks. There are folks that make different investments, not just in money. People invest time and energy into relationships such as marriage. Parents invest into their children, for many years; and yes, quite a lot of money as well (especially if it involved a university education). Good companies invest in their employees, especially on those employees they would like to keep for the long time. Professional sports teams invest in players, sometimes incredible sums of money, with the idea that those players will help their team grow, perform, and of course, win championships. Every single investor, no matter who they are and in what they invest, even if it is a personal love relationship, they would hope that something good comes out of what they are investing in. Do you like to lose?
Believe it or not, God has expectations as well. Even though He has given us so many things out of pure love, including the life of His only begotten Son, Jesus, so that we could be saved, He does desire to see something in return; not out of obligation, but nonetheless, something good. The Lord gave us the following example: “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on journey. Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’ But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’” Matthew 25:14-30.
And here is where today’s passage comes in. Paul starts this passage with very strong feelings of admiration and joy towards the folks he is writing to. And because of these strong feelings, a great love has developed for them. These folks bring him joy. And not only that, he would also like to invest in them, so that they can grow even more, bearing more fruit. Fruit is imperative in the life of every believer. God’s grace through Jesus Christ is free, but He does desire for fruit to come forth from each of our lives. For it is written: “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.” John 15:1-2. “By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.” John 15:8. “Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another—to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God.” Romans 7:4.
Not bearing fruit is a big a problem. Jesus gave us this example: “Now in the morning, as He returned to the city, He was hungry. And seeing a fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it but leaves, and said to it, ‘Let no fruit grow on you ever again.’ Immediately the fig tree withered away.” Matthew 21:18-19. So, something good should be produced in our lives, and it should be for Him.
What is this fruit He wants? The Bible teaches us this: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23. God ultimately wants to see Himself in us in some sort of way, which is the miracle that occurs when we are regenerated through the work of the Holy Spirit in us; transformed to have God’s characteristics so we can be light in this dark and lost world. For our own good, we should inspect ourselves with the Word of God, so we can understand what is really happening in our lives. So, is God’s fruit being produced in your life? Lord bless! John