The Book of Philippians Pt. 5 The Fruit of Righteousness In The Believer.

Paul explained what it means to approve the things that are excellent. We noted in our last post that it refers to using a test to determine the purity of a precious metal like gold or silver. Once the testing reveals what is pure or impure, we are to choose that which is morally pure. 

Then, believers are to carry this through into our lives. This means making right choices day by day. In business terms, we might refer to it as a continuous improvement ethic. The believer in Christ should strive to yield to the Spirit of God more willingly today than we did yesterday. 

We should seek to read more of the Word of God today than we read or studied yesterday. We should strive to spend more time in prayer this week than we did last week. It is a daily determination and desire to become more like Christ, as the Spirit of God uses the scriptures in our hearts to transform and shape us, day by day.

Filled with the fruit of righteousness. 

Philippians 1:11  Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God. 

Right after teaching us about making a purity test for all of our choices and exhorting us to choose right choices that line up with God's Word, Paul tells us exactly how that will change us. We will be filled with the fruits of righteousness.

In the Greek language, the phrase "being filled" means the believer has been filled. It is an action that has been fully completed in us, unlike Ephesians 5:18 where we are told to be filled with the Spirit, which means a continuous filling or re-supplying. 

"Being filled" with the fruit of righteousness is another reference to the permanent, indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. He regenerated our heart when we trusted Jesus Christ for salvation.  He baptized us into the body of Christ and indwelt us at the same time. These are one time actions that are done for us by God through His Spirit. 

The word "fruits" is actually in the singular form "fruit" meaning there is one, collective "fruit" of righteousness. This is exactly what Paul taught us in his letter to the Galatians, when speaking about the fruit of the Spirit. 

The fruit of the Spirit is love manifested in many ways.

Galatians 5:22-23  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23) Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

The fruit of righteousness is pointing us to the work of God's Spirit in us. The primary fruit of the Spirit is love and the eight words that follow are not additional fruits. Rather, they describe what it looks like in our lives when this wonderful love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. Love is like a diamond and the description of that love corresponds to many facets cut onto a diamond to reflect  dazzling light. 

This is the same "agape" love that Paul mentioned in Philippians 1:9.  Below is what this love of God will change in us as we are led by the Spirit, walk in the Spirit and yield to Him. 

Joy and gladness fills our hearts when the Spirit of God is at work. We have hope, abundant blessings, precious promises and a wonderful Savior. Therefore, we can be a joyful people in the midst of an angry world. 

We have peace with God when we are born again and this peace calms our hearts as the storms of life rage around us. Peace is the absence of rage or being tranquil in a chaotic, hateful world. 

Longsuffering means having a patient endurance during trials, troubles or afflictions. It means steadfastly persevering.

Gentleness is moral goodness and personal integrity. It is a kindness of attitude that is often not seen in our culture. 

Goodness is having a heart that is pure and upright before God because of our faith in Christ. 

Faith is the conviction that God exists and is the Creator and Ruler of all things and the Giver of eternal salvation through repentant faith in Jesus Christ. 

Meekness is having a mild and gentle spirit while temperance is self control over our fleshly passions. 

Yielding to the work of the Spirit is where Paul is leading us because when the Spirit is having His way in our hearts, we are going to be a very different person in Christ. The Holy Spirit's fruit will show up in our thoughts, words and actions. 

Ephesians 1:3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 

Paul used the words "by Jesus Christ" to make it clear that all of the wonderful spiritual blessings  he taught about, are founded upon our repentant faith in Jesus Christ. Our resurrected Lord Jesus opened heavens doors for redemption, salvation and much more.  In his letter to the church at Ephesus, Paul spoke about the action of God to give us all spiritual blessings in heaven in Christ. 

Other times, Paul used the phrase "by him" when speaking of the blessings for believers in Christ.

We are enriched "by Him" in all  utterance and knowledge (1 Corinthians 1:5).

We are fully justified "by Him" through faith from all things that might otherwise condemn us (Acts 13:39).

Jesus Christ is "the truth" and we have been taught "by Him"(Ephesians 4:21).

All things were created "by Him" (Colossians 1:16).

All things are governed and held together "by Him." (Colossians 1:17).

Peace and reconciliation with God are "by Him" (Colossians 1:20).

He will save to the uttermost all who come to God "by Him" Hebrews 7:25).

Again and again we see that every glorious detail of our salvation is of God and for the glory of God. Thus, Paul emphasized it is "all" for the "glory and praise of God."

Thoughts to Ponder...

Do we seek to approve those things that are excellent?

Is the fruit of righteousness evident in our thoughts, words and actions? 

Are we filled with great joy and praise to God for all the spiritual blessings He gave us through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ?

May the Spirit of the Living God help us to evaluate our lives and honestly answer these questions, so that we might become more like Christ.

Bob