Can you answer ‘yes’ to all of these:

  • I know what the purpose of my life is.
  • I am clear how to live out my Christian faith at church and at work.
  • I know what God expects me to do in my day-to-day life.
  • God expects more of me than just sharing the good news of the gospel.
  • If I am retired or not in paid employment, I know what God wants me to do with my time.

If you can, please stop reading and do something more useful!

If not read on…

I have read many Christian books. Only some of them stand out – and I have just read one that does. So I thought it would be useful to give a short review to encourage you to have a read.

The book is called Fruitfulness on the Frontline by Mark Green. The aim is to unpack the instructions from Christ found in John’s gospel in a very practical way.

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.” John 15:16

and

“This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” John 15:8

The author’s basic premise is:

  • Our purpose is to bring glory to God.
  • We can do this by being fruitful.
  • There is more than one fruit. Evangelism is one expression of fruitful living (and we all agree it is very important), but it is not the only evidence of fruitful living. Just as you can’t say that a banana is the only fruit you can buy – the book explains that one!

The book then goes on to help us understand what being fruitful is like. It introduces a fruitfulness framework which is based on key biblical principles.

The writer calls these principles the 6 ‘M’s:

  1. Modelling godly character
  2. Making good work
  3. Ministering grace and love
  4. Moulding culture
  5. Being a Mouthpiece for truth and justice
  6. Being a Messenger of the gospel

The rest of the book is devoted to unpacking each M, one by one, giving the biblical basis for that M, giving real world examples of the principle being lived out, and then directing the reader to think of how that fruit could be borne out in their life. I found it very thought-provoking.

So, if you want to be challenged about how to live out your Christian life to glorify God, I would give it a read. As an aside I thought I was being a responsible father so suggested the book to one of my sons. He said, “Already read it Dad – it is a great book.”

Ah well, you can’t win them all!

Book Details: Fruitfulness on the Frontline by Mark Greene

ISBN 10: 1783591250 / ISBN 13: 9781783591251

Published by IVP 2014

You can buy a used book for a few pounds (the sustainable choice) e.g. see https://www.abebooks.co.uk/

There are also books and small group resources on the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity (LICC) website here https://licc.org.uk/ourresources/fruitfulness/ and videos here https://licc.org.uk/ourresources/6m-people/