“If a man’s deeds are not in harmony with his prayer, he labors in vain. We should no longer do those things against which we pray.” – Saint Moses the Strong
What does it mean to be fruitless? Can our work be unfruitful? In a scientific sense, no, because every action has an equal and opposite reaction. Effects exist whether we observe them or not.
And yet we’ve all experienced failure. We know what it’s like to exhaust ourselves in serious labor but come up empty. We grieve our wasted time and energy, labor which bore no fruit. As far as the results, it’s like we did nothing at all.
The Bible addresses the issue of fruitlessness.
According to Jesus, Scripture itself can be barren!
“The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful.” – Matthew 13:22 (see also Mark 4:18-19)
Worries and wealth compete with the Word of God for first place in the human heart. It’s our decision to focus on the gospel. If we don’t, there are plenty of alternatives which will choke out what the Lord wants to do in our souls. God’s will is clear, so what’s our choice?
In God’s opinion, evil works are worthless.
“Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.” – Ephesians 5:11
“These people are blemishes at your love feasts, eating with you without the slightest qualm–shepherds who feed only themselves. They are clouds without rain, blown along by the wind; autumn trees, without fruit and uprooted–twice dead.” – Jude 12
Both Paul (the author of Ephesians) and Jude warn Christians against immoral churchgoers who excuse routine immorality. It doesn’t matter what you do, God’s grace will cover it! That kind of teaching will attract a following, but it won’t bear any fruit. Under the Lord’s scrutiny, nothing of value will remain in the lives of those who fell into such deception.
Don’t buy into it and don’t spread it around!
But these false prophets were right about one thing: we should act on what we confess. Paul and Peter follow this line of thinking when they urge believers to dedicate themselves to spiritual productivity.
“Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives.” – Titus 3:14
“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” – 2 Peter 1:5-8
To know Jesus Christ is the greatest blessing we can experience. But to box up eternal life deprives others and sterilizes our future. We will have no harvest if we sow no seed. God invested the life of His Son in us so we could share Him with those around us. And as we do, we grow. We learn more about Jesus. We discover more of His kingdom. And we experience more of the power and guidance of His Spirit.
So let’s not succumb to fruitlessness. God planted us to bloom and as we depend on His grace, we will!
