Fruitfulness Flows from Grace, Not Effort
Fruitfulness Flows from Grace, Not Effort
Righteous living is not the way we earn God’s acceptance; it is the evidence that we have already been transformed by His grace. Just as a tree bears fruit because it is alive and healthy, our good works flow naturally from a heart that has been cleansed and renewed by Christ. We serve, love, and obey—not to impress God—but to display the reality of His work within us.
This truth guards us from both pride and despair. We do not boast in our own efforts, nor do we lose hope when we fall short. Instead, we rest in the finished work of Jesus and allow His Spirit to produce fruit in our lives. Every act of kindness, service, or obedience is a testimony to the grace that has changed us from the inside out.
Ezekiel 36:26 (KJV): "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh."
Reflection: In what area of your life are you tempted to “prove” yourself to God or others? How can you shift your focus from striving to resting in Christ’s finished work today?
To listen to the sermon that corresponds with this devotion, click the link below:
https://www.mbcpb.org/media
Righteous living is not the way we earn God’s acceptance; it is the evidence that we have already been transformed by His grace. Just as a tree bears fruit because it is alive and healthy, our good works flow naturally from a heart that has been cleansed and renewed by Christ. We serve, love, and obey—not to impress God—but to display the reality of His work within us.
This truth guards us from both pride and despair. We do not boast in our own efforts, nor do we lose hope when we fall short. Instead, we rest in the finished work of Jesus and allow His Spirit to produce fruit in our lives. Every act of kindness, service, or obedience is a testimony to the grace that has changed us from the inside out.
Ezekiel 36:26 (KJV): "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh."
Reflection: In what area of your life are you tempted to “prove” yourself to God or others? How can you shift your focus from striving to resting in Christ’s finished work today?
To listen to the sermon that corresponds with this devotion, click the link below:
https://www.mbcpb.org/media
Posted in Devotions
Recent
Archive
2025
January
The Essence of God's HolinessGuarding Against FamiliarityThe Transcendence of God's HolinessReflecting God's Holiness in Our LivesEmbracing the Fullness of WorshipTimeless Truths for Today's ChurchUnwavering Faith in AdversityThe Majesty of Jesus RevealedLoving Jesus and His ChurchThe Urgency of Salvation
February
Shifting Focus from Self to JesusPersevering Through Tribulations with Christ's StrengthWorshiping in Faith Amidst StrugglesServing the Church with Love and DedicationEngaging in Spiritual Warfare with AwarenessPerseverance Through Shared StrengthWorship Beyond CircumstancesBuilding the Church Through ServiceEmbracing Jesus' Priestly RoleLiving Fearlessly in His PresenceGod Places Us in Strategic LocationsGood Works as a Reflection of FaithHolding Fast to the TruthPerseverance in TrialsReturning to Our First LoveTruth and Love in HarmonyGuided by the SpiritChoosing Compassion Over ContemptThe Call to Personal RepentanceEmbracing Jesus as a Living Person
March
Faithfulness Amidst TrialsBeauty Through SufferingThe Cost of CompromiseThe Promise of Eternal LifeLiving SacrificiallyThe Subtle Drift of CompromiseRecognizing the Reality of Spiritual WarfareSteadfast Faith in the Face of PersecutionGuarding Against Worldly InfluenceThe Timeless Truth of ScriptureFaithfulness Amidst AdversityNo Justification for SinThe Perils of CompromiseThe Urgency of RepentanceEmbracing a New Identity in ChristDiscernment in ToleranceRecognizing Christ's AuthorityAvoiding the Pitfall of CompromiseEmbracing the Call to RepentanceThe Promise of Eternal RewardSpiritual Vitality Over Religious Activity
April
Personal Responsibility in FaithThe Danger of RoutineRecognizing Modern IdolatryThe Mission Field at Our DoorstepFaithfulness Beyond CircumstancesReturning to the BasicsStrength in WeaknessAttentiveness to God's PrioritiesEndurance for Eternal RewardTrue Wealth Lies in Spiritual RichesThe Peril of Lukewarm FaithEmbracing Correction as an Act of LovePersonal Responsibility in FaithSharing in Christ's Sovereign RuleForgiveness Beyond GuiltResurrection and New BeginningsGrace Overcomes Sin's SeverityFulfillment Through ForgivenessJesus, Our MediatorJoy Anchored in Christ, Not CircumstancesThe Emptiness of Cultural PromisesThe Pitfall of Superficial Religion
May
Identity and Joy in ChristThe Communal Joy of the GospelLoneliness Is a Spiritual Wound Needing Divine HealingGrace and Peace Flow from Repentance and ForgivenessGospel Fellowship Unites Beyond All DifferencesChrist Redeems Our Painful MemoriesJoy Is a Settled Confidence in God’s GoodnessFaith Is Forged in the Fires of CrisisObedience Precedes the MiracleGod’s Ways Transcend Human LogicSelfless Faith Becomes a Channel for BlessingSurrendered Resources Become Miraculous ProvisionJoy Grows Through Gospel-Driven PartnershipFaithfulness in the Ordinary Matters Deeply to GodGod’s Transforming Work in You Is Unfinished but CertainReal Fellowship Means Sharing Both Grace and StruggleJoy Flourishes When We Lean on God in WeaknessFreedom’s Cost Echoes in Every Liberty We HoldRemembrance Guards the Heart of Our ValuesGod’s People Are Called to RememberLove That Crosses Every BoundaryThe Cross—Our Everlasting Memorial of Grace
No Comments