Fruit of Righteousness
Date: May 9, 2023
I use the BLESS method every morning for my devotional.
B - Bible Verse
L - Listen for God's Word and pray
E - Explore the History and meaning
S - Study the Key Words or Phrases
S - Summarize and Share
You can read more about it by going to: What is a Faith Journal?
B - Bible Verse - Philippians 1:9-11 (NIV) - "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."
L - Listen for God's Word and pray – Heavenly Father, as I study this passage, I ask for Your guidance and understanding. Open our hearts and minds to receive Your Word and help us grow in love, knowledge, and discernment. May our lives be filled with the fruit of righteousness through Jesus Christ, bringing glory and praise to You.
E - Explore the History and Meaning - The apostle Paul wrote this letter to the Philippians while he was in prison, expressing his love and prayers for them. He prays for their love to grow more and more, along with knowledge and depth of insight. Paul wants them to able to discern what is best for their lives, and live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ's return. He emphasizes the importance of being filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, ultimately bringing glory and praise to God.
S - Study the Key Words or Phrases -
Love: Paul prays for their love to abound, indicating the importance of love in their relationships and interactions with others.
Knowledge and Depth of Insight: Paul desires for them to grow in knowledge and understanding of God's truth, going beyond surface-level understanding.
Discern: Paul wants them to have the ability to discern what is best, making wise and righteous choices in their lives.
Fruit of Righteousness: This refers to the results or outcomes of a righteous life lived in obedience to Christ, bearing good fruit that reflects God's character and brings Him glory.
S - Summarize and Share –
When I read Philippians 1:9-11, it reminds me of the importance of growing in love and knowledge, and how these qualities can positively impact our lives and relationships. In today's fast-paced and often chaotic world, it's easy to get caught up in our own concerns and forget about others. But this passage encourages us to strive for a love that overflows with knowledge and depth of insight.
Today, more than ever, it's crucial to seek God's wisdom and understanding, allowing them to guide our thoughts, actions, and decisions. As we grow in our knowledge of God's will, we can navigate life's challenges with discernment and grace. This verse reminds us that love and knowledge go hand in hand. It's not just about head knowledge but applying that knowledge to love and serve others selflessly.
Applying this verse to our lives means intentionally pursuing a deeper understanding of God's truth and allowing it to shape our character. It means cultivating love that is genuine, compassionate, and discerning. When we prioritize love and knowledge, we become more effective in our relationships, and our lives reflect the beauty of Christ to those around us.
So, how about we do this together? Let's commit to spending time in prayer, asking God to increase our love and knowledge. Let's open our hearts to His wisdom and understanding, seeking His guidance in every aspect of our lives. Let's make intentional efforts to love others genuinely, to show compassion and empathy, and to invest in deepening our relationships.
May our lives be a testament to the transformative power of love and knowledge. May we bear the fruits of righteousness that come from living in alignment with God's will. And may we inspire others to join us on this journey of growth and transformation.
Let's dive into this beautiful passage together and discover the joy and fulfillment that come from living a life filled with love, knowledge, and the abundance of God's grace.
Bible Cross References:
Colossians 1:9-10 - "And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God."
James 3:17-18 - "But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace."
Ephesians 1:17-19 - "that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might."
1 Corinthians 1:8-9 - "who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord."