βAnd this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ. Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of GodβΒ (Philippians 1:9-11).
βFruitsβΒ are βthe results of work or activity.β Who exactly is working?
Works-religion parading as βChristianityβ has led us to believe that Christian living involves us making ourselves holy by working to keep rules and regulations. However, the Bible says Christian living isΒ βbeing filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ.βΒ This isΒ notΒ self-righteousness, what religion produces. It isΒ notΒ artificial or superficial righteousness, what religion generates.
Nay, it isΒ trueΒ righteousness, a new (righteous) nature in Christ and its resultant actions. First Corinthians 1:30:Β βBut of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:β¦.βΒ If we have trusted Jesus Christ as our personal Saviour, we share His identityβHeΒ is our wisdom,Β HeΒ is our righteousness,Β HeΒ is our sanctification (holiness), andΒ HeΒ is our redemption (freedom from sin). From Him springs forthΒ ourΒ righteousness. FromΒ HimΒ working in us through the indwelling Holy Spirit, righteousness abounds in our hearts and lives.
First ThessaloniansΒ 2:13:Β βFor this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth,Β the word of God,Β which effectually worketh also in you that believe.βΒ EphesiansΒ 3:16Β says:Β βThat he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to beΒ strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;β¦.βΒ Finally, Galatians chapter 5:Β β[22] ButΒ the fruit of the SpiritΒ is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, [23] Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.βΒ There is the life of Christ, friend, in itsΒ fullness, available by daily faith in Himβ¦ something religion canΒ neverΒ produce! source