BiblicalInsights.net

“Blessed is the man that walkest not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standest in the way of sinners, nor sittest in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.  And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringest forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doth shall prosper” (Ps. 1:1-3).
The righteous will bear fruit and prosper because they have entered into covenant relationship with God and God’s grace supplies them all that they need in order to be spiritually successful.
Fruit trees teach us something of value.  Fig trees must be 3 to 5 years old before bearing fruit.  The olive tree must be 7 years old before bearing fruit.  A mature tree can pr0duce 1,000 pounds of fruit and live to be 1,000 years old.  Some of the best fruit is produced in the last season of life.  What is the last season of life?  The answer may be somewhat difficult to define with a specific age, but certainly in our older years in contrast to our younger years of life.    How should Christians spend these years in the kingdom of God?
A Real Tension Between Personal Desire and Cultural Norms
Our personal desire is the live a full, meaningful, and fruitful life.  However, our culture shouts that we are too old to be of any use.  Retire and live a life of ease.  After all, you’ve earned it.  But, this expectation causes us to turn inward and makes us more self-centered and self-indulgent.  This view conflicts with the Scriptural instructions that we receive from God.  A Christian has opportunity to bear the most fruit in the last season of life.
Leadership
Elders in the Lord’s church must not be novices (I Tim. 3:6).  Elders must be seasoned, experienced, wise, godly and skilled in the use of God’s Word.  The development of godly character and the proving of that character takes time.  Wisdom is knowledge plus know-how.  Experience in the use of God’s Word takes time to acquire.  The word “elder” itself indicates that leadership in the Lord’s kingdom does not come from the youngest Christians, but from older Christian men.  An elder proves himself in his own home (I Tim. 3:4-5).  Godly leadership in the home is a prerequisite to godly leadership in the church.  Such leadership takes time to develop and prove itself so that other members of the church can observe it and accept it as validation for of the office of an elder.  An elder leads in promoting and defending the purity of the church (Titus 1:9-10).  It takes time to acquire a knowledge of God and His Word.  It takes even more time to become skillful in the Word (Heb. 5:14, “But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil”).  Spiritual discernment is the same as righteous judgment (John 7:24).  Both utilize the principles and truths of God’s Word to solve problems, recognize error and refute it, and provide answers to doubtful disputations.  Self-mastery is also a qualification of elders.  Spiritual maturity is reached when a person has grown to acquire the fruits of the Spirit in his life.  The moral qualifications for elders given in I Tim. 3 and Titus 1 confirm that this man is not a novice.  He is tried, tested, and has demonstrated that he possesses the godly character that commands respect from within the kingdom of God and from without.  There is no doubt, that God’s Word indicates that leadership is a fruit that can be born in the last season of life.  While it is possible for a man to qualify to be an elder before he reaches this stage of life, it is certainly true that men in this last season of life can bear the fruit of godly leadership.  If we are going to build the kingdom of God, we need good spiritual guidance from men sound in the faith and qualified by the Holy Spirit to lead.
Teaching God’s Word
Often Christians, who have taught God’s Word in the earlier years of their lives, but reach the retirement years, resign from teaching God’s Word and “let the younger generation do it.”  However, God’s Word declares, “The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers,  not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedience to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed” (Titus 2:3-5).  Actively teaching the Word of God is a fruit that should be born in the last season of life.  Aged women should be exemplary in godly character bearing the fruits of the Spirit in the their lives.  They are to be holy, not false accusers (gossip by definition is a partial truth), and “not given too much wine” (abstain from the inebriating effects of alcoholic beverages).  They are to be teachers of good things and they are to teach the younger women.  Older women must seize this opportunity to teach the younger women to be sober (have the full powers of reasoning unobscured by drugs or alcohol), to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, and obedient to their own husbands.  This is a significant responsibility given to older women.  The fruit of a godly example and positive instruction in righteousness are to be born in the last season of life.
Spiritual Maturity
“But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in the faith, in charity, in patience” (Titus 2:1-2).  Our older years should be characterized by spiritual maturity.  This is not to say that we should not display true godliness in our younger years as Christians.  But, older members of God’s kingdom should demonstrate Christian maturity.  Spiritual maturity is characterized by spiritual discernment.  Spiritual discernment is dependent upon knowledge of God’s Word and know-how or experience in using God’s Word in daily life.  God’s Word is a great source of the wisdom which is from above (the revelation of the mind of God to the mind/heart of human beings).  Life itself gives us opportunities to utilize God’s Word through application (obedience) in our lives.  The disciplined life results.  The Christian life is a disciplined life where temperance or self-control is manifested and the lusts of the flesh are defeated. Youthful lusts are slain by faithfulness to God.  Spiritual toughness is the result of exercising ourselves in godliness.  Older Christians should display Christlikeness and possess a depth of knowledge and wisdom in the grace of God.
Relationship Building
The apostle Paul was characterized as “the aged” in Philemon 1:9.  He was probably around 61 or 62 years of age at this time.  Paul appeals to Philemon on the basis of love to heal a broken relationship between Philemon and Onesimus.  Paul was involved in peacemaking.  Through peacemaking, a better and stronger relationship could be forged between Philemon and Onesimus.  Paul was instrumental in the conversion of Onesimus (Philemon 1:10).  The spiritual transformation of Onesimus changed the relationship between him and Philemon.  On the spiritual grounds of this new relationship, Paul appeals to Philemon to be merciful and forgive.  If Philemon follows through with Paul’s desire, there is no doubt that the relationship between them would be preserved and strengthened.  Older Christians have an antidote to loneliness.  They can build new relationships in Christ.  Find someone to minister to and make the investment of your life in their life.  Unleash the power of love to form new bonds between Christians.  Unleash the power of the gospel to bring others to Christ.  Building lasting relationships is a fruit that can be born in the last season of life.
Other Fruits 
Can you think of more fruit that can be born in our last season of life?  Paul mentions nine fruits in Gal. 5:22-23.  Consider also: Rom. 6:22; James 3:18; and Col. 1:10.  Jesus teaches us that if we abide in Him, He cleanses us so that we can bear more fruit (John 15:1-8).  God desires that we bear “much fruit.”  Faithfulness is a key to fruitfulness!  If we really desire to please God in all things, we should bear fruit in His kingdom during the last season of life.  The faithful servant is the fruitful servant (Matt. 25:23).  Only the faithful servant will be welcomed into the “joy of thy Lord.”

An interesting and provocative goal for 2023 is soul-care.  What is it?  Soul-care is nurturing the spiritual aspect of our being (our soul) through sacred knowledge of God, Christ and the Holy Spirit and strengthening our fellowship with them through worship, Bible study, character development, and Christian service.
The First Step in Soul-Care
The first step in soul-care is the deliverance of the human soul from the penalty and practice of sin.  The experience of sinful attitudes and actions is universal.  “What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin (Rom. 3:9; Paul proved this in chapters one and two). “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23).  The practice of sin results in the penalty for sin which is spiritual death (Rom. 6:23).  If sin is not forgiven by God, the penalty is eternal punishment.  When we sin against God, our soul is in spiritual peril.  The only remedy is found in and through Jesus Christ.
Obedience to the Gospel
How do we obtain forgiveness of our sins?  This is the most important question that the human heart can ponder.  The first object in soul-care is our salvation from sin and God’s wrath.  “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him” (Rom. 5:8-9).  The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from sin and we are forgiven and freed from the bondage of sin.  When does this occur?
Twice in the New Testament obedience to the gospel is referenced.  However, it is referenced in the negative.  In Rom. 10:16, God’s word declares, “But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:16-17).  The gospel is God’s power unto salvation (Rom. 1:16).  Obedience to the gospel is essential in order to obtain salvation.  The second passage of scripture is found in II Thess. 1:7-10, “And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.”  Unbelief produces disobedience.  The gospel of Christ is the good news of the salvation accomplished through the redemptive work of Jesus.  Every person can avail themselves of this salvation.  The gospel of Christ contains: (1) facts about Jesus–His pre-existence, birth, life, ministry, teaching, miracles, death, burial, resurrection, ascension and coronation (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John); (2) Commands.  All of the commandments of Jesus (Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16);  and (3) promises.  The promises of God relating to salvation and eternal life (Acts 2:39; Titus 1:2).  Certainly, the gospel is “good tidings of great joy” (Luke 2:10).
What are Some of the Commands Jesus Gave?
First, we must hear the word of God (Rom. 10:14).  We must come to know God and His will for our lives.  Faith comes by hearing God’s word (Rom. 10:17).  Knowing the truth and believing the truth are connected.  A person can know the truth and reject it thus manifesting unbelief.  But, you cannot believe if you do not know the truth.  Faith and love for God are connected.  Gal. 5:6, “For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.” Faith is energized by love.  Faith is “taking God at His word.”  Love is the highest motivation for obedience to God’s will.  Jesus said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). “Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings…” (John 14:23-24).  Just like unbelief produces disobedience, so does lack of love for God.  Jesus also commands us to repent of our sins (Luke 13:3,5).  Repentance is a universal command of the gospel.  “And the times of this ignorance God winked at: but now commanders all men every where to repent” (Acts 17:30).  The gospel requires that people confess that Jesus is Lord.  “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believers unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Rom. 10:9,10).  Confession of Christ is a pre-requisite to baptism.  Jesus said, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mark 16:16).  Those who have never obeyed these commands of the gospel will be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of God and from the glory of his might (II Thess. 1:7-9).  If we die in our sins, we die without mercy.  If we die in our sins, we will be raised unforgiven in sin and thus raised to damnation (John 8:24 and 5:28,29).
Other Notable Passages on Obedience
In Rom. 6:16-17, Paul writes by inspiration and says that when we obey from the heart that form of doctrine we are made free from sin.  In Heb. 5:8-9, the sacred writer affirms that Jesus is the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.  Jesus taught in Matt. 28:18-20 that we make disciples by teaching them the whole truth and baptizing them into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.  Finally, Peter declares that we purify our souls in obeying the truth (I Pet. 1:21-22).
Blessed Are They That Do His Commandments
A special blessing belongs to those who are obedient to God.  “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city” (Rev. 22:14).  Soul-care begins by obtaining the salvation which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.  We must obey the gospel in order to obtain forgiveness of our sins and change our spiritual status before God.  When we obey the gospel, we become the children of God (Gal. 3:26,27).