◄ What Does Philippians 1:11 Mean? ►

The work of salvation changes a sinner into a saint and transfers a person from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of God's dear Son.

Justification (initial salvation or conversion), is the first stage of salvation and a once-for-all work of God Himself in the life of a believer that is permanent and can never be lost.

Sanctification (the process of salvation or Christian living), is the ongoing work of God in the life of a justified man or woman.

Glorification (the final step in salvation or completed salvation), when we go into His presence clothed in our new, resurrected, glorified bodies and see Him as He is.

Every stage of salvation is by faith and not by works of the flesh.

Salvation in all its stages has nothing to do with our own merit or good works, but has everything to do with faith in Christ and HIS good work. He paid the price for sin on our account, freely and without cost, and He broke the power of sin in our life so that He could live in us, carry out His righteous work through us, and produce in us the fruit of righteousness as a living testimony of His goodness and grace.

We are declared legally righteous at conversion (justification) and immediately imputed with Christ's righteousness. However, we have a responsibility to produce the fruit of personal righteousness during our Christian life (through a process of sanctification), as we carry out the good work God has prepared for us to do. We do this through faith in Christ, and in the power of the Spirit, until we are wholly perfected when we get to heaven (glorification).

One blessing of salvation is the immediate and permanent indwelling Holy Spirit Who develops in us the precious fruit of His righteousness through many acts of faith, as we grow in grace. It is as we yield our hearts to Him that the fruit of righteous fruit is formed in our life, for His glory and praise.

It is only as we abide in Christ and He in us that the process of spiritual growth can take place and the spiritual fruit of righteousness be imparted. It is only as we remain in fellowship with our Heavenly Father that we are enabled to produce the fruit of the Spirit to the glory of God. It was Paul's prayer that the believers at Philippi were filled to overflowing with the fruit of Christ's righteousness.

In Galatians 5, Pauls presents us with a comprehensive list of spiritual fruit; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. However, the responsibility to live godly lives and to crucify the flesh with its passions and desires, is a choice each believer must make, for the fruit of righteousness can only come through faith in Christ and not through carnal works of the flesh.

Although the fruit of righteousness is manifest in many different ways, it can never be produced in our own strength or by our own self-efforts or fleshly works. The fruit of righteousness is not a patch-work of religious activities and prideful practices, but is manifested in the one who walks humbly before the Lord, and who aches to do God's will.

We received the imputed righteousness of Christ at salvation, but the impartation of the spiritual fruit of righteousness, is rooted and grounded in godly acts of faith which can only be produced as we allow the Spirit to lead and guide us in all we do.

May we be filled with the fruit of righteousness that only comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory of God and the praise of His holy name. May we show forth the fruit of righteousness through the praises of our lips, the attitude of our heart, and a life that is consecrated to His perfect will. 

May we abide in Him and He in us so that our lives will produce the fruit of the Spirit and we will stand sincere and blameless before Him.

Dear Lord, thank You for imputing me with Christ's righteousness as a free gift of grace. I offer myself to You today and pray that in the power of the Spirit, I would be filled with the fruits of righteousness, for the glory of Your name. I pray that my life would continue to produce much fruit, all for Your praise and glory. In Jesus' name I pray, AMEN.