A Biblical Theology of the Christian Life

1:11 having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

We come now to the end of Paul’s description of his prayer for the Philippians. Verse 11 is really a further explanation of what he meant by "sincere and blameless" in v.10. There are three points made. First, Paul prays that they will live lives full of the fruit of righteousness. Second, he says that this kind of life comes through Jesus Christ. And third, he says that this kind of life brings glory and praise to God. Here in one verse is the basic Biblical theology of the Christian life:

1 - God wants His children to live lives FULL of righteousness. Like a tree weighed down with fruit, God desires an overflowing harvest of purity, goodness and love coming forth from our lives.

2 - God wants it always to be clearly understood that the fruit of righteousness born in the life of a believer is not self-generated. All men do on their own is sin. Righteousness comes only from God. The kind of life God calls His people to live is only possible because He is at work in them by the power of His Holy Spirit. So, whenever we despair about the way we are living, whenever we long to bear the fruit of righteousness in our lives, we know where we must go: to Jesus Christ. He is the ONLY source of power for holy living.

3 - This kind of living that is filled with the fruit of righteousness makes God look good. God is supremely good, of course. But His goodness is not always recognized. When Christian people live the way they are supposed to live, then the world can see God’s goodness clearly. Jesus said, “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” (Matt. 5:16) The fact is that we exist for the praise of God (Eph. 1:12), and we have been saved for the praise of God (Eph.1:14). This is not only our duty, but our glory. It is the path to highest blessedness and happiness and fullness of life. It is our highest state of existence.

Heavenly Father, I want my life to be all that You made me to be. I want to live a life that is overflowing with love and goodness. I want to live a radiant life in this dark and gloomy world. But Lord, I know that in myself I am nothing but sinfulness and corruption. If any good is to come forth from my life, it will be Your doing, Lord. How I need You, Lord Jesus! Fill me with Your Spirit that I might bear the fruit of the Spirit. Invade me and capture me and overcome me for Your own name’s sake. I want to be Your eager slave. Make my life a trophy of Your grace and power!