John the Baptist was a godly man and prepared the way of the Lord.  He gladly pointed people away from himself and directed them to the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.  He was privileged to see some fruit of his work during his short life as people were baptized and followed Jesus.  Whatever role God has called and gifted us to fill in the body of Christ, we can bear fruit for God’s glory every day as we seek to do what is good and right in His name.  Paul prayed, “For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God ...” [Col. 1:9-10].

But when we strive to live faithfully for the Lord in this life, our fruitfulness is not limited to the time of our stay on this earth ... we can bear fruit through the legacy we leave behind.  After John the Baptist had been killed and just over a week before Jesus would be crucified, “... He [Jesus] went away again beyond the Jordan to the place where John was first baptizing, and He was staying there.  Many came to Him and were saying, ‘While John performed no sign, yet everything John said about this man was true.’  Many believed in Him there” [John 10:40-42].  Even in death, John’s ministry was bringing many people to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ as they remembered his life and testimony!

Be encouraged that a faithful life bears fruit beyond this life ... in our children, grandchildren, relatives, friends ... among all who have observed our life and testimony!

Pastor Jim