Trial of Life

What Truly Works to the Benefit of the Christian — Fruit Now, Glory to Come

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” — Romans 8:31 (ESV)

This verse is often quoted as if it guaranteed a trouble-free road. It does not. The very passage it comes from speaks of suffering, weakness, groaning, endurance, and hope under pressure. Being “for us” does not remove all resistance — it secures the outcome.

I have lived among Christians long enough to say this plainly and carefully: We often miss the fundamentals. We speak of faith yet walk in the flesh. We confess surrender yet still chase recognition. We say eternity matters, yet structure our lives around temporary measures. Scripture cuts through that confusion with a simple test — fruit.

A tree is known by its fruit — not by its claims, not by its vocabulary, not by its associations, but by its fruit.

If we strip away the noise and let Scripture interpret Scripture, we reach solid ground. What truly works for the benefit of the Christian — not only in eternity, but also in this present life?

All Things Are Put to Work — Not Just the Pleasant Ones

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” — Romans 8:28 (ESV 

Not some things — all things.

Trials, delays, losses, exposure, correction, waiting, pressure — even our failures, when brought under repentance and grace. Not all things are good, but all things are made to serve God’s good purpose for the believer.

Scripture clearly defines what is good — that we are conformed to the image of His Son. The primary benefit is not comfort. It is a transformation.

The Flesh Competes with the Footsteps

Much of our instability comes from trying to walk with Christ while still being driven by the flesh. It shows in what we pursue and what we celebrate — status, security, applause, visible success. We put more effort into worldly acknowledgement than into spiritual persuasion.

Then, when life tightens its grip, we either cry out only when desperate or drift into a victim mindset.

But Jesus made the measure plain — fruit reveals the root.

The fruit of the Spirit — love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control — are not decorative virtues. They are practical strengths and present benefits.

Peace steadies the mind.
Patience slows destructive reactions.
Self-control prevents regret.
Faithfulness builds trust.
Love restores and sustains relationships.

This is not theory — this is lived advantage formed by the Spirit of God.

Scripture does not teach empty endurance now, with reward only later. It teaches present value and future glory.

Scripture teaches that present benefits are real—just often mismeasured.

“Godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” — 1 Timothy 4:8 (ESV)

Present benefits include a steadier inner life, a clearer conscience, sharper discernment, greater restraint, healthier relationships, and deeper fellowship.

“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you.”

— Isaiah 26:3

That is not only future — that is now.

Pressure Is Not the Enemy — It Is the Revealer

“Count it all joy… when you meet trials… for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” — James 1:2–3

Pressure exposes foundations. Without testing, much of what we believe about ourselves would remain untested. Testing turns confession into substance — or exposes it as imitation.

Discipline also belongs to the category of benefit when understood correctly.

“For the moment all discipline seems painful… but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.” — Hebrews 12:11

Discipline is not rejection — it is training. Its outcome is righteous stability with peace.

The Law of Sowing and Reaping Still Operates

“Whatever one sows, that will he also reap.” — Galatians 6:7

Sowing to the flesh produces corruption and instability. Sowing to the Spirit produces life and durability. There is often a delay — but there is always a harvest.

The fruit itself is part of the reward. Peace is fruit and reward. Joy is fruit and reward. Self-control is fruit and protection. God does not merely command qualities — He grows them, and they bless the one who bears them.

Moses — A Living Example of the Tree and Its Fruit

If we want a clear biblical example of a tree known by its fruit, we can look to the life of Moses. His life was neither easy, celebrated, nor comfortable. It was stretched across obscurity, pressure, resistance, and responsibility — yet the fruit is undeniable.

He spent forty hidden years before forty visible years. Shepherding sheep prepared him to shepherd people. Silence prepared him for authority. Humbling prepared him for usefulness. God grows roots before branches. His delays are often rooting work.

Under pressure, his fruit showed. Scripture records his meekness — strength under control. He endured complaint, interceded for those who opposed him, obeyed difficult instructions, and repented when corrected. Fruit proves itself under strain, not in ease.

He also experienced present benefits—nearness to God, clear direction, and recognised spiritual authority. Presence, not position, was the great reward.

And what he left behind measures the tree even more clearly. A formed covenant people. Revealed law. Worship patterns. Leadership structures. A prepared successor. Written testimony still feeds generations. He did not leave monuments — he left a movement. Not comfort — but covenant.

He also reminds us that fruitfulness does not remove accountability. Even faithful servants are corrected. That, too, is a benefit when received properly.

The Anchors That Should Steady and Stir Us

The Christian life stands on three steady realities: calling, conformity, and glory.

We are called by mercy, not merit.
We are conformed through process, not comfort.
We are headed toward glory, not mere survival.

“For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.” — 2 Corinthians 4:17

When the reward is seen clearly, the road is understood correctly.

Final Reflection

If God is for the believer, opposition cannot cancel God’s intention — but it will often be used to carry it forward.

The benefit is not the removal of the fire, but the formation within it.

Not ease — but endurance.
Not applause — but fruit.
Not comfort — but conformity.

And not empty in the present — but filled with real, Spirit-worked benefit along the way.

Fruit now.
Strength now.
Formation now.
Glory later — beyond comparison.

A tree is known by its fruit — and fruit is known by what remains when the season changes.

Rooted in obedience.
Proven under pressure.
Measured by what remains.

Signing off

 Tyrone