GOD REQUIRES OF HIS PEOPLE FAITHFULNESS, NOT SUCCESS
In the book of Proverbs, chapter twelve and verse twelve we read, “the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit.” What is the fruit of the righteous? Someone has coined the caddy phrase, which says, “the fruit of a Christian is another Christian.” This statement is often employed to encourage evangelism, of which I am not opposed. But the idea is not in accordance with the teaching of the scripture. The Lord Jesus Christ said in John, chapter three in the first seven verses no less than three times, “Ye must be born again” (literally, you must be born from above). In chapter one of John’s Gospel, verses twelve and thirteen, we read, “But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” According to the doctrine of the text it is not within my power to produce another Christian. Therefore fruit bearing must be something else. For example the Apostle Peter in Second Peter chapter one, verse eight exhorts us to be fruitful in the knowledge of Christ. The knowledge of Christ comes by the consistent subjecting of our minds to the systematic ministry of the Word of God. Peter also teaches us in his first letter, chapter two, verse nine that we are “to show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” ‘To show forth His praises’ signifies we are to show forth God’s excellencies or virtues, such as His holiness, righteousness and mercies, this is fruit bearing. The late A.W. Tozer said, “Much that passes for Christianity today is the brief bright effort of the severed [individual] branch to bring its fruit in its season. But the deep laws of the life are against it. Preoccupation with appearance and a corresponding neglect of the out-of-sight of the true spiritual life are prophetic signs, which go unheeded. Immediate “results” are all that matter, quick proofs of present success without a thought of next week or of next year. Religious pragmatism is running wild among the orthodox. Truth is whatever works. If it gets results it is good. There is but one text for the religious leader; success. Everything is forgiven him except failure.” I suppose that this type of modern religious philosophy would have written our Brother Noah off as an unsuccessful man. He preached and labored for one hundred twenty years, and only saw seven souls converted. Man would say what a failure, but God hailed him a man of great faith and a great preacher of righteousness.