I also believe that some try to define “works” and “fruit” too narrowly. That older lady that is not a door- knocker, and who may not be a Sunday School Teacher... but always has a kind word for the pastor, is a faithful prayer warrior, and shines her own Christian light to those who get to know her... she is bearing fruit as well - it may not be the “big glamorous” fruit that some seem to set their sights on... but it is none the less.
God’s Word says that there are many “jobs” within God’s kingdom work - in fact, He describes it by comparing Christians to the vessels used in the Temple - some were earthen, some Silver, some Gold - yet all are important, even if they don’t all appear to be equal. Even the lowly “jobs” within a church are important and demonstrate fruitful work when done with a glad heart to Glorify God.
[[I also believe that some try to define “works” and “fruit” too narrowly. That older lady that is not a door- knocker, and who may not be a Sunday School Teacher... but always has a kind word for the pastor, is a faithful prayer warrior, and shines her own Christian light to those who get to know her... she is bearing fruit as well - it may not be the “big glamorous” fruit that some seem to set their sights on... but it is none the less.]]
or even the janitor who ‘just has that somethign special about their character- somethign you can’t quite put into words’, may be used by the Holy spirit to inspire some child to seek out what it is that makes that janitor different, without hte janitor ever having done or said anything about Christ (doing so these days will get you arrested in School apparently). The Holy Spirit listeth where it will- We NEVER know where or when or how God will use us-
[[Even the lowly “jobs” within a church are important and demonstrate fruitful work when done with a glad heart to Glorify God.]]
Exactly- We tend to forget this, and think ourselves uselss i nthe servive of God- it’s just ‘natural’ to do so I guess- always looking to ‘improve’ ourselves- but even the blind staving child of God living in the street may so move a stobbornly Atheistic philanthropist as to Seek out the face of God just by seeing that it’s not the circumstances that dictate joy in the Lord, but our relationship to God that does so.