The Word
Vol. 9 No. 13
Upper Room Discourse
John 15:2-8
Divine Good Production
John 15:2, “Every branch
in Me that does not bear fruit He takes it away; But everyone bearing fruit He prunes it in order that
it should bear more fruit, (more
Divine Good production).”
This week we wrap up our discussion on “bearing more fruit” and the
Doctrine of Divine Good Production by noting the last few points of the
doctrine.
H. The production of Divine Good
results in Surpassing Grace blessings for the eternal sate, 1 Cor 3:10-15;
2 Cor 5:10;
Maturing and mature believers
produce Divine Good which is rewardable in eternity.
If you acquire maximum Bible doctrine in the soul and apply it, you will
produce the Fruit of the Spirit in time that will be rewardable
in eternity, 1 Cor
3:10-15;
Doctrine of Rewards for
Divine Good Production
Rewards
for those who produce Divine Good in time are
described in some detail in
The fact is, all believers will stand before the
judgment seat of Jesus Christ, called the BEMA in
2 Cor
5:10, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of
Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body,
according to what he has done, whether good or bad.”
“Good” is the Greek
word AGATHOS representing Divine Good production, which is good of intrinsic
value, while “bad” is the word PHAULOS that means, “worthless or bad”.
This judgment will be for the deeds or works performed
here on earth where are sins are not mentioned, because they have already been
judged at the Cross. Deeds done through the filling of the Spirit and the Word
resident in your soul will be rewarded. Deeds performed from the flesh or Old
Sin Nature will be discarded,
Between
laying the foundation and rewardable deeds there must
be knowledge and application of God’s Word coupled with spiritual growth. “If”
is a first class condition that recognizes the reality of some kind of
production in the life of the believer, good or bad (if and he does).
The
word “builds” is in the Iterative Present Tense that means we keep on building
from time to time as long as we live. We either express works of the flesh,
which is human good from the Old Sin Nature, or we express Divine Good
production through the filling of the Spirit and the Word.
There
are 2 general categories noted here.
Category #1 – “Gold, Silver, Precious Stones”. These are permanent type things out of which to build
something and indicate everlasting rewards. When passed through fire, (an
analogy for judgment), they are either unharmed or purified; made even better.
These are classified as Divine Good production “Rewards.”
a) Gold generally in Scripture is used to represent
Deity. So gold would represent anything that glorifies God, and God is
glorified by the Spirit-filled life,
b) Silver speaks of redemption wherever found in
Scripture. Therefore, it is connected with witnessing the gospel in the power
of the Spirit.
c) Precious stones are identification with the family
of God via the High Priest, and therefore represent production of the believer
priest through the Word and Spirit, (i.e. the fruit of the Spirit, love, joy,
peace, etc.), as effecting the Royal Family of God.
Category # 2 – “Wood, Hay, Straw.” These are temporary things and indicate loss as each
is burned up and nothing remains when passed through fire. These are classified
as Human Good production “Loss of Rewards”.
a) Wood speaks of man and of good deeds performed from
the flesh, (i.e. approbation lust).
b) Hay is a great energy source for horses, mules,
etc., working animals. There are a lot of believers who are only full of human
energy, (i.e. works they constantly perform from there human energy and efforts
that originate from the area of strength in the Sin Nature).
c) Straw or stubble refers to leftover and useless by-products, therefore this would be works that people do out
of spite, envy, or hostility. In addition they are works done reluctantly or
from some form of compulsion and are worthless works according to
So the
first category describes in a general way the eternal rewards for Divine Good
production, and as we noted,
Rewards are associated with brightness and shining,
(the reflective glory of Jesus Christ), in many passages of Scripture, Dan 12:3, Mat
Dan 12:3, “Those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness
of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like
the stars forever and ever.”
In
1)
a)
Access to the Paradise of God, (the heavenly eternal “Garden of Eden” in the
New Jerusalem)
b)
Eating from the Tree of Life (eternal spiritual sustenance from the Word of
God,
c)
This is also known as the “Gazebo in the Garden” where you will have access to
this fantastic gathering place in heaven.
2)
This
is one of four Crowns the believer can be awarded at the BEMA of Jesus Christ.
Each is an indestructible crown that will last forever, is fire tested as we
have noted, and linked with living for the gospel of Christ,
all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath,
but we an imperishable. Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim…”
The other crowns include:
a) The Crown of Rejoicing for the soul winners, 1 Thes 2:19.
b) The
Crown of Righteous-ness is given to the one who has “loved His appearing” which
means it is a decoration for the
attainment, activity and perpetuation of spiritual maturity. This crown is
presented to those believers who advance through the three stages of spiritual
adulthood,
c) The
Crown of Glory for being willing to feed the flock of God,
3)
4)
a)
Hidden manna, eternal spiritual sustenance.
b)
The white stone, an eternal credit card providing special accesses in heaven.
c)
The new title on the stone is a new order of knighthood with rank and
privilege.
5)
6)
a) The uniform of glory,
Mat 16:28‑17:2, “His face shone like the sun and His clothes
became white, like light.”
This uniform is now constantly
worn by the humanity of Christ and will be worn by the Overcomer
too.
7)
8)
9)
None of this would be possible
without the Strategic Victory of the Lamb of God (Jesus Christ).
I asked God for strength that I might achieve.
I
was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey.
I
asked God for health that I might do greater things.
I
was given infirmity that I might do better things.
I
asked for riches that I might be happy.
I
was given poverty that I might be wise.
I
asked for power that I might have the praise of men.
I
was given weakness that I might feel the need of God.
I
asked for all things that I might enjoy life.
I
was given life that I might endure all things.
I
got nothing I asked for,
But
everything I had hoped for...
Almost
despite myself my unspoken prayers were answered.
I
am among all men most richly blessed.
-Unknown Confederate Soldier
In conclusion of
our discussion on Divine Good production simply stated, when we take in the
righteousness of God, (that is manifested in His Word), and apply it to our
lives through the filling of God the Holy Spirit, we will produce Divine Good.
This is what
If you would
like more information on this subject,
you may listen
to lessons 10-033 through 10-035.