Reflections: “Be Fruitful and Multiply!” February 27, 2024
And God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” Genesis 1:22.
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law, he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. Psalm 1:1-3.
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35.
We are saved through faith, a gift of God! For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10.
Who do we belong to and think about most in this life every day? Who provides redemption and who has a plan for our lives? In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace, which He lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making know to us the muster of His will, according to His purpose, which He set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in Him, things in heaven and things on earth. Ephesians 1:7-10.
What is a meaningful commandment with love? Not a suggestion, but a command. “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35.
Jesus came to earth to teach us how to live, and it is our responsibility to study His Word to see how Jesus loved us enough to die on the cross and become a sacrifice for us. We are to teach others. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5:20.
This takes knowing what pleases God and knowing His will. The Holy Spirit gives us the Fruit of the Spirit characteristics of someone worthy of being an ambassador of God and knowing Him.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things, there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23. This fruit of the Spirit is a gift from God when we trust, believe, and obey! How we love is part of being an Ambassador.
In John 15, Jesus says, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit He takes away, and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.” John 15:1-4. Later this chapter adds, If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. John 15:7-8.
After the ordeal of the flood on the earth, the building of the ark, and Noah left the ark and built an altar to the Lord and offered burnt offerings. And God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth.” Genesis 9:11.
Jacob’s son, Joseph, was thrown into a pit by his brothers and then sold as a slave in Egypt. Jacob blessed his sons before he died and said of Joseph, who saved the family from starvation during the famine. “Joseph is a fruitful bough, a fruitful bough by a spring; his branches run over the wall.” Genesis 49:22.
Good fruit is a change in our disposition, attitudes, affections, and actions. We forgive others and seek to do good for everyone. We seek to do all things for God’s glory.
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Colossians 3:12-17.
Being fruitful is not just having many children! When we love others – as we love ourselves, it calls us to teach others by being kind, and think of others more than ourselves. Seeing others as God’s creation and beloved of Him, without judgement or anything but kindness.
Earlier in John 13, Jesus knelt before each disciple and washed their feet, including the feet of Judas, the one who would betray Him. Have you ever considered washing the feet of those have hurt or betrayed you?