Fruit Filling

“So that you may approve what is excellent, and so pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God” (Philippians 1:10-11).

I’m pretty sure there’s not a sweet treat out there that’s not made even more tasty with fruit filling. Donuts. Pies. Cupcakes. And who doesn’t love the steaming glory of a pop-tart fresh out of the toaster?!? Cherry. Strawberry. Raspberry. It really doesn’t matter to me. The Apostle Paul tells his friends back in Philippi that there’s nothing better in a follower of Jesus than fruit filling. Specifically, the fruit of righteousness. When we place our trust in Christ, He promises to load us with His holy goodness. 

We can’t let all this talk of baked goods and desserts distract us from the reality of Paul’s situation. He’s been behind bars about 4 years. He’s spent the last 2 yeas in Rome waiting for Caesar to hear his appeal (Acts 25:10-12; 26:32; 28:19, 30). Not that 21st century prisons are any pleasure cruise, but what the apostle faced was more like a dungeon. It’s the kind of experience that would leave the best of us filled with bitterness and bile. Not Paul. This former Pharisee once so full of himself is now filled to overflowing with the joy of Jesus. 

The apostle opens his letter to the church in Philippi with a full paragraph of prayer. He lets them know that he’s always thanking Jesus for them and the memories of their crazy days together (Phil 1:3-5). How crazy were they? Check out Dr. Luke’s account over in Acts 16:12-40. He’s constantly telling the Lord how grateful he is that they’re all on Team Grace (Phil 1:7). Paul prays that God will cause the folks in Philippi to not only love more but love smart (Phil 1:9). And he knows it’s a stone cold, lead pipe lock that what Jesus has begun in them, He will finish (Phil 1:6).

The man from Tarsus prays that God gives his friends the wisdom so “that you may approve what is excellent” (v10). You can also translate the original text here as “discover what is best.” This is coming to see life through the lenses of Jesus. We see what’s truly important to God. We see what breaks His heart. In a letter to the church in Rome, Paul tells his readers that this happens when God renews our minds when we read His word. When we do that we will “be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Rom 12:2). In essence, God gives us a mind transplant. I’m pretty sure this is nothing like those whacky scenes from those sci-fi movies where they put goofy metal hats on two people and they swap personalities. But I digress. But what it does mean is we’ll begin to see and interpret life as Jesus sees it. The folks who produced the NLT like to translate this verse in Philippians like this: “For I want you to understand what really matters” (v10 NLT). Allow God to show us how He sees the world. Then we discover what’s best. Then we’ll understand what really matters.

When that happens, Paul says God will continue to do His amazing work of making us “pure and blameless” (v10). This is certainly great news for somebody like me. Somedays my life is filled with nothing but spin. I’m constantly telling half truths and white lies in an effort to get people to like and respect me. I’m continually stumbling and failing in my attempts to live up to the ridiculous image I’ve tried to create. But Paul says that can stop, right here and right now. Jesus is going to make me “pure and blameless” (v10). No more lying. No more double dealing. No more spin. No more stumbling. No more guilt. 

While I can’t circle a specific date on the calendar, the apostle says that I can take it to the bank that it will happen on “the day of Christ” (v10). He’s already mentioned that spectacular day earlier in his letter (Phil 1:6). He’s talking about Jesus jaw dropping encore. That’s the day the resurrected Son of God returns to the stage and come to our ultimate rescue. Good wins. Evil loses. Jesus literally brings heaven to earth. I don’t know about you, but I’m more than ready (that might have something to do with the fact that I’m writing on a Monday morning!). 

One other amazing blessing of His Second Coming is the fact that each of His followers will be “filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ” (v11). Paul uses the Greek verb plero’o, which means to complete, fill to the top, and liberally supply. And the grammar here tells us that we don’t do the filling. We’re on the receiving end. Jesus fills us to overflowing. To the brim. He tops off the tank. All we have to do is be ready. The best way for me to prep for being filled by Jesus is stop being so full of myself. I’ve been told many times that I’m full of it. Actually, what I’m full of is me. I need to drain that tank and allow Jesus fill me.

Paul tells us that God is filling us with the “fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ” (v11). Just what is this delicious fruit filling? Jesus told His posse that He’ll handle the fruit production if we just stay connected and close to Him (Jn 15:4-5). The apostle writes to the disciples in Colossae that God will cause an incredible fruit harvest in their lives as they come to know Jesus more and more (Col 1:6, 10). We’ll recognize this as what Paul calls Spirit fruit. That’s “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law” (Gal 5:22-23). That’s the kind of fruit God fills in you and me when we’re connected to Christ. 

Once we’re chockfull of this wonderful “fruit of righteousness,” God gets the applause. This happens “to the praise and glory of God” (v11). I know this may not be what you want to hear but you and I are not the point. The spotlight and standing ovation is reserved for God alone. He’s the One doing the work. He’s the One doing the filling. He’s the One doing the heavy lifting. We’re simply the one being filled. Rightfully, the Fruit Filler is the One gets the praise.