Genesis 1:28

It amazes me that the first thing that God did for man was bless Him. Going back to the first chapter and the first book of the Bible, Genesis 1:28 says, “And God blessed them, and God said to them, Be fruitful and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it.”

This verse has always been important to me because of the mandate that is given to “be fruitful and multiply.” As I have spent more time studying this verse, I have learned it’s so much bigger than just fertility. While God desires for us to be fruitful in the sense of populating the earth, this verse reminds me that we are to be fruitful in all areas of life.

Being fruitful doesn’t always have to be something physical or tangible, as it can be spiritual or relational too. No matter what it is, God desires for us to produce fruit that is ‘of Christ’. He is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, self-control so those are the fruits we should desire to produce.

How do we bear fruit? Well, when we remain in Him, we can bear fruit because of Him. He is the vine and we are the branches and as we seek Him and know His word, He enables us to follow His invitation to bear fruit. The more we are in tune with Him, the more we will recognize the areas and ways He is using us to bear fruit.

Lastly, Genesis 1:28 ends with the mandate to “subdue” the earth. To “have dominion” or “subdue” something is to have all authority and control. God has all authority, but He has delegated some of His control to each of us and it’s important that we make the most of this gift by producing good and healthy fruit. 

Are you producing fruit in your relationships, job, community or church? What about generally in every day life? Genesis 1:28 is a mandate is for you! Choose to be fruitful and multiply God’s glorious kingdom!

PS. If you are going through infertility, please head over to join a faith-based support group I founded, Moms in the Making!

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