Some Fruit. Romans 1:13 The apostle Paul had learned the value of fruit-bearing. Perhaps someone had told him of the Lord's teaching on that subject that we can read in John 15. Our area of service is among people. We serve God when serving people. Paul knew he could sow some seed of the Word of God among those believers at Rome that would strengthen them in the faith. For some reason, he could not go there personally, but the Spirit of God used that hindrance to produce this remarkable treatise on the Gospel. From that hindrance has come widespread blessing through many generations.
Our Lord Jesus Christ chose to love and die for us. He chose to save us to bear fruit and win souls. In grace, He chose them to go and be diligent in their work, not to sit still, and their work will produce. When we ask God for mercy and forgiveness, we go as a son to a parent, knowing the parent's mind, entering into family liberty and the fullness of the parent's heart. Asking gives the parent great delight. God yearns for the company, confidence, and fellowship of man. He never received it till Jesus was here. We are one with Christ the Vine. He has made us for this and wants our supreme confidence.
We have a God to go to -- Father—a good name to come in -- Lord Jesus Christ. An answer promised. There is plenty of hatred in the world. Believers in Christ need love and support from each other. Love is important because it includes many duties and has a good influence on all. Given the dangers and difficulties all around us that challenge the faith of the Lord’s people, we need to act on the instructions already given to us and commit ourselves to bless the Lord’s people and be blessed by them.
We may not always be able to accomplish what we had hoped. However, God can produce a harvest among His people that may not be recognized at the moment but will produce lasting fruit due to the effort we put forth to use the gift God has given. Spiritual growth takes time to become evident. The benefits to the brothers and sisters in Christ will be seen in new converts and those who have already experienced many of the blessings of the Christian life. The assembly at Rome was probably composed of mostly Gentile believers. Others were bringing fruit due to Paul's ministry, and no doubt the Gentiles at Rome would do the same.
During the course of our service to God, we may not only minister to those we know and are associated with but may reach way beyond us to others we don't even know. It is incumbent on us to keep motivated to use what God has given to us. We have the privilege to produce fruit for God's glory in the lives of others.