This past Sunday was week 1 of “Endless Prayer” from Colossians 1:3b-5. The title was “Christian Fruit: What It Causes and Where It’s From.” When Paul heard about the Colossian Christians, he found himself thanking God for the fruit he heard about in their lives. The fruit they showed was fueled from the hope that was stored up for them in heaven.
I made the point that real Christian fruit is, in part, genuine sacrificial love for all the saints and real faith in Christ that is visible. Hearing that message might have made you wonder whether or not you are a real Christian.
When I look at my own life, I am not nearly as loving to the saints as I should be. Also, I often fail to obey the Lord as I should. Does this mean I’m not a real Christian because of these deficiencies?
The thing to remember when looking at these kinds of passages (1 John is filled with them) is that Paul is not saying the Colossians had perfect love for all the saints or perfect, constant faith, just that the Christian fruits of love and faith were evident. It’s the presence of the fruit that marks a Christian, not the perfection of the fruit.
Also keep in mind that non-Christians don’t have any fruit like this at all. Consider John 6:63a:
It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all.
John 6:63a
So, dear brother or sister, if there is evidence of a genuine, selfless love for other Christians and an active faith in Jesus Christ that shows itself in actions, be encouraged. These are marks that God has performed a miracle in your heart.
For a more thorough dive into this topic, check out How Can I Be Sure I’m a Christian? by Donald Whitney.
If you don’t have a church home and you live in NW Indiana, be our guest this Sunday at Lake Hills Baptist Church.
Pastor Jacob’s Blog 