EXPOSITION:
From our main text for today, we are given clear guidance about becoming fruitful Christians. The argument which Peter places before us is this: God has done His part in giving us the gift of faith, in bringing us to the knowledge of Himself, and in making us partakers of His divine nature – now we must therefore do our part, and we will become fruitful as Christians. We shall consider what it entails to bear fruit as a Christian leader in today’s devotion.

What kind of fruit are we to bear as Christian leaders? We’re called to bear the fruit of godly character and conduct. In Galatians 5:22-23, we see the qualities of the Christian or Christ-like character, which comprises godly virtues the Christian must possess. The Christian character in effect would produce the Christian conduct. The conduct of the Christian leader would set him apart from the ungodly fellows in a corrupt society, which places him in the position to bear the fruit of Christian converts.

People should convert to the Christian faith in part because of the character and conduct they see in us. In several occasions in the New Testament, Christian converts are described as fruit. For example, in Romans 16:5, Epaenetus is referred to as the first convert to Christ in Asia. The Greek actually says he’s the first fruit in Asia. Yes, Christian converts are fruits we can harvest for God as Christian leaders.

The usefulness of a tree is to bear fruits. A tree would be of no essence to the farmer if it exists without bearing fruit. Such an unproductive and unfruitful tree would be good for nothing only to be cut down and burnt with fire. And so, God wants us to bear fruits. And the fruits He wants are the fruit of godly character and conduct. We glorify God by bearing fruits. We are challenged as Christian leaders not to settle for anything less than much fruits. We must strive on with hard work, perseverance and diligence to yield much fruits.