ALWAYS PRODUCING

Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.

-Matthew 3:8

We’re always producing something. Through rest and sleep our bodies produce various chemicals and hormones, which help us replenish and recover. In our occupations, we either produce to meet the company mission or we produce a status of unemployment. In our language and behavior, we produce signs and signals revealing the nature of our hearts.

The same is true of our faith in Jesus Christ. He didn’t tell us, “Produce fruit in keeping with repentance” in order to enslave us in a works-based salvation, but rather to make us keenly aware of this reality: When you truly are a follower of Jesus, not merely a subscriber to religion, there is abundant evidence of fruit production overflowing in your life.

In light of Jesus’ imperative command to “Produce fruit in keeping with repentance,” let’s consider His words in context along with some other passages of Scripture:

...apart from me, you can do nothing. -John 15:5b

The Christian life isn’t about grand building projects, attendance numbers, budget projections, or even multiplication. Jim Jones and David Koresh accomplished all those things without the fruit of repentance. Instead, it’s about our relationship with Jesus Christ, the Author and Perfecter, of our faith. Buildings are static and decaying structures. That’s why Jesus is making His Church out of living stones, i.e. people born-again of the Spirit and mobilizing us for His will, mission, and eternal glory.

Neither is the Christian life about doing our own thing 167 out of the 168 hours in a week. Jesus doesn’t need us to throw Him a bone of “guilt-time” by attending a church service when it’s convenient. Jesus doesn’t need our “guilt-tithe,” throwing a little something His way in the plate, basket, or via the new auto-tithe app. It’s about a relationship with Christ, the One who causes us to become joyful givers and active participants in His will, mission, and glory.

We’re always producing something. The question: Is it something of enduring and eternal value?

...consider others more important than yourself. -Philippians 2:3b

John Maxwell is a prolific author and Christian leadership guru. He might be best known for his book, “The 5 Levels of Leadership,” which is condensed into a brief summary in his book, “How Successful People Lead.”

Level 1) Positional leaders fail because they lead by fear and threats.

Level 2) Permission leaders are invited by people to lead regardless of position.

Level 3) Production leaders are those who excel beyond position and permission to actually producing something through self-discipline, work ethic, skills, and influence.

Level 4) People leaders not only develop stuff (systems, processes, etc.), they develop others.

Level 5) Pinnacle leaders not only develop others, but they develop other leaders, i.e. they make disciples who make disciples.

My critique of Maxwell’s work is that there are really only “3 Levels of Leadership,” not 5. We aren’t called to mere Level 1 (positional) or Level 2 (permissional) leadership. Nor are we called to leverage our God-given gifts to develop people as disciples of industry, psychology, culture, success, or technology. The Steve Jobs and David Koresh of the world can do that too.

Are we Level 3 Production leaders using Position and Permission to lead people in discipleship, multiplication, the will, mission, and glory of Jesus Christ?

Are we doing as Jesus commanded? Are we truly producing fruit (of the “firstfruit” variety) in keeping with repentance - or are we more interested in the production of personal comforts, security, and goals (conforming to the pattern of the world) to then throw Jesus our leftover scraps of time, talents, and treasures?

To the one, we are the stench of death and demise; to the other, a fragrant aroma bringing life. -2 Corinthians 2:16

The great failure of churches today is a desire for acceptance. A sense of acceptance within the intellectual community drives our apologetics. A sense of acceptance within culture drives our decor, programs, ministries, and sermons. A sense of acceptance by the big financial donors drive our budgets, staffing - even vision and mission. In all this we have failed to recall Paul’s words, “I am not ashamed of the gospel because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes…”

True, there are pastors and entire congregations who have forgotten it is only by grace we are saved and not ethics or morality. There are also pastors and congregations who have forgotten that there is no real grace apart from truth. The former does nothing to represent or serve the will, mission, or glory of God as they spew venomous and vile hate. The latter jettison doctrine and truth in the futile pursuit of worldly acceptance. They pass out puppies and warm-fuzzies to the world and bid them, “Come as you are!” but never stand firm on the foundation of Jesus’ words, “Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.”

The perfect balance, timing, and production of a stench of death or fragrant aroma of life can only ever exist and thrive through the presence and perfect work of God Almighty.

We’re all producing something. It can either be of eternal value sourced in the power and presence of the Holy Spirit dwelling within, or it simply falls into the category of “rubbish.” As Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 3:13,

“their work will be shown for what it is because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person's work.”

Lose the idea of self and embrace the idea of surrender to Christ. Then, He will establish your true identity in taking you where you never dreamed you’d go, doing things you never thought you’d do, and only ever understanding any of it in the glorious light of the Gospel of truth and grace.

We’re all producing, but are you producing an eternally enduring legacy on the foundation of Christ - or striving for nothing and laboring in vain?

Blessings,

-Kevin M. Kelley

aMostUnlikelyDisciple.com