Dear Friend,

In Jesus said if He calls us, equips us, anoints us, gifts us, and sends us, we will "gather fruit unto life eternal" (John 4:36). Let that phrase sink down deep into your heart: "fruit unto life eternal!"

Evangelist, as you share the Good News with the lost, you're bearing eternal fruit. Teacher, as you interpret God's Word and teach sound doctrine to Christ's disciples, your work is producing everlasting results. Counselor, as you by the Spirit's direction apply Scriptural truth to troubled Christians' souls, you're changing attitudes and building characters that will endure forever.

Preacher, as you urge, warn, and exhort your hearers to trust and obey God, you are making permanent changes in their souls. Pastor, as you nurture and feed and guide Christ's sheep, your flock is experiencing everlasting spiritual growth. Missionary, as you go forth to share Jesus with the people of unfamiliar cultures in faraway places, individuals, families, tribes, and nations are being changed forever.

Street witness, as you tell the homeless and addicted, the poor and the rich, about the Savior's love, your work is not mere social improvement but an eternal elevation of all who believe and receive the Savior. Author, as you inscribe yet another God-given message or book to sustain weary readers and inform eager students, you are making changes in their lifestyle, labors, and character that will never be changed.

Deacon, elder, or church board or staff member, as you prayerfully help your pastor lead your local flock, the life it lives and witness it bears in your city is planting seeds of eternal deliverance for the lost, the bound, and the oppressed. Donor, as you give sacrificially to God's work, your gifts are working through churches, ministries, and missions to enlarge or strengthen God's kingdom forever.

Ministerial aide, as you assist the man or woman of God to whose ministry Christ has assigned you, you are walking through God's fields and vineyards with them reaping an eternal harvest. Intercessor, as you faithfully bring people, problems, and needs before God's throne daily, every petition and prayer session releases God's Spirit and angels to make permanent changes in suffering lives.

Worship leader, as you teach your congregation how to praise and worship, you are preparing them to enter into the heavenly worship flowing around God's throne and training them for their new, eternal profession: worshiping God! Christian, as you live and shine Jesus holy life and enduring love in your workplace and home, and faithfully help your church and pursue your vocation "as unto the Lord" (Colossians 3:23), remember, meditate on, believe, and whisper, "unto life eternal!" Again, and again.

No unbeliever or carnal Christian, however smart, skilled, shrewd, or successful in their worldly labors, can claim such an exalted hope. Every work of mere human origin, spirit, energies, and methods will at best produce only temporary good and, in the end, come to nothing in the day Christ renews this world and brings it into His order (see Psalm 127:1; 2 Peter 3:10b-11). All these self-conceived, self-sustained, self-honoring works, programs, missions, and planning - and all their blood, sweat, and tears - will in the end be utterly futile. But whatever you and I work in Christ - and His mighty Spirit works through us - however small and insignificant it seems to men, will continue bearing fruit throughout this life, the Millennium, and the countless eons of eternity. Why?

The answer is very simple: Jesus has promised our Spirit-led work will bear eternal fruit (John 4:36). He remains utterly faithful to His promises. And we, with His grace assisting, have remained faithful to Him and His call on our lives. Or, in kingdom algebra: Jesus' promise + Jesus' faithfulness + our faithfulness = eternal fruit!

     "Fruit unto eternal life" means precious lives that Jesus bled for, needy families Satan is busily destroying, troubled cities rife with strife and despair, and sin-darkened nations that have long lost their way will be changed. Changed despite all Satan can do to stop it. Changed forever. Changed through our humble Christ-labors. And you think you don't have something worthwhile to live for today?

Think again! And remember Jesus' promise. And believe. And go. And live. And obey Jesus' call on your life, whatever it is. And let this soaring truth illuminate your heart, elevate your walk, and inspire your work - so Jesus may be honored, needy lives rescued and lifted, and "your joy may be full" (John 16:24).

Oh, the indescribable, immeasurable, unquenchable, unending, undiluted joy that awaits us in that day when God removes the veil and lets us see how through our little lives His mighty Spirit has made large changes. And we reap, not futile fruit, but forever fruit!

Pursuing "fruit unto life eternal,"

Greg Hinnant
Greg Hinnant Ministries