Spiritual Growth / Spiritual Fruit

  • Proving Our Faith

    Isaiah 58

    Our good works do not get us into the kingdom of God, but they do evidence the authenticity of our faith. We cannot rely in any way whatsoever on these works if we want to see God, but if we ...Read More

  • Good Works and Assurance

    2 Peter 1:3–11

    Matthew Henry comments, “Those who are growing in grace, and abounding in the work of the Lord, shall have an abundant entrance into the joy of their Lord, and they shall reign with him for ever and ever.” Although gaining ...Read More

  • Power to Minister

    Acts 1:8

    If you are a Christian, you have already received the Holy Spirit, and you have the mind and ability to serve God and His church. We all may not be ordained to specific church offices, but all of us who ...Read More

  • The Fruit of Faith

    John 15:5

    John Calvin writes, “Before we are in [Christ], we are dry and useless wood.” After we are united to Him through faith alone, however, we become living, fruitful branches. The doctrine of justification by faith alone frees us to do ...Read More

  • Gentleness and Self-Control

    Matthew 11:28–30

    Jesus, indeed, was a gentle man, but He was by no means a pushover. He denounced sin when He needed to and gave His life of His own accord, not because the Romans and the Sanhedrin forced Him to the ...Read More

  • Goodness and Faith

    Psalm 37:3

    We will continue to sin until we are in the direct presence of God, so there will always be occasions when we disbelieve the Lord and transgress His law. Our need for perfection has been met in Christ, and He ...Read More

  • Patience and Kindness

    Proverbs 21:21

    Showing patience to others takes a significant amount of wisdom. There comes a point when even God ceases to be patient with us, and there are times when we will need to stop being patient with someone for that person ...Read More

  • Joy and Peace

    Galatians 5:22–23

    John says we should not be surprised that the world hates us (1 John 3:13). Still, we do not have license to give the world rational reasons to oppose us. We can do nothing about the irrational opposition unbelievers ...Read More

  • The Imitation of Christ

    Ephesians 5:1

    The Apostle Paul’s teaching on our sanctification is ultimately a call to the imitation of Christ (1 Cor. 11:1). Therefore, we should pay close attention to the words and actions of Jesus if we want to understand what ...Read More

  • An Offering of Gratitude

    Romans 12:1

    Without an understanding of the grace of God and submission to Christ’s lordship, we cannot dedicate ourselves to the Lord in thanksgiving. Sanctification follows justification; the ability to walk in holiness is a benefit that results from our having ...Read More

  • Our Heavenly Citizenship

    Philippians 3:20–21

    We are justified by faith alone but not by a faith that is alone. Everyone who believes in Jesus alone for salvation will immediately and inevitably prove this faith through good works of service to God and neighbor (James 2 ...Read More

  • The Poor in Spirit

    Matthew 5:1–3

    God’s presence is felt most strongly in the kingdom of heaven, which was inaugurated in Christ’s ministry and will be consummated at His return. Entry into this kingdom and, ultimately, seeing God’s beauty face to face comes ...Read More

  • Proving Our Salvation

    Philippians 2:1–2

    Scripture often warns the people of God about those who cause dissension for dissension’s sake — people who cause problems not because they stand firm for the truth but because they are factional and generally disagreeable (Titus 3:10–11 ...Read More

  • A Sign of Destruction and Salvation

    Philippians 1:28

    We do not earn our place in heaven through the consistent endurance of persecution and harassment. Rather, such endurance proves that we have the faith that can alone lay hold of the benefits of salvation, for “the one who endures ...Read More

  • Paul’s Love for the Philippians

    Philippians 1:7–8

    In many ways, it is easier to pray or to give to various churches and ministries instead of doing both. How often do we pray for other believers and gospel defenders without responding to their need for financial support? How ...Read More