6 Keys to Staying Vibrant and Fruitful for the Lord
- Jesse Schreck
- 1 hour ago
- 5 min read
Lessons from Hebrews 5–6
Have you ever noticed how easy it is to drift spiritually when life feels comfortable or when things are going well? The author of Hebrews observed exactly that in his audience. After years of peace—perhaps post-persecution, post-temple destruction—the believers had grown dull of hearing. They ought to have been teachers, but they needed milk again instead of solid food (Hebrews 5:11–14). Comfort, it seems, had dulled their spiritual senses.
The good news? God doesn’t leave us there. Through this loving rebuke by the author of the letter to the Hebrews, he calls them, and us, forward to maturity and fruitfulness (Hebrews 6:1-2). In today's post, I'll share six practical keys to help us avoid stagnation (which ultimately leads to spiritual decay and uselessness) and live vibrantly for Christ. If you are an aspiring missionary, a seasoned missionary, or simply a disciple wanting to honor God and fulfill your unique God-given purpose, these keys will help you stay the course in the abundant life that Jesus desires for you.
I. Acknowledge the universal tendency toward dullness
We all drift when we stop being active in the faith. Just as holiday breaks can make routines feel optional, prolonged ease often leads to laziness in our walk with God. Scripture warns of this pattern repeatedly. When Israel “grazed and became full,” their hearts grew proud and they forgot the Lord (Hosea 13:6). When King David was well established, he let down his guard and sinned greatly against the Lord (2 Samuel 12:1-13).
The first step to staying sharp is humble honesty: Yes, I too can become dull, rusty, or indifferent when I coast. Recognizing this tendency keeps us watchful rather than self-deceived. Being watchful is one of the most important, yet often overlooked, disciplines of the follower of Christ. If watchfulness is an area you haven't yet considered, I highly recommend this excellent book: it will bless your walk with the Lord.
Watchfulness: Recovering a Lost Spiritual Discipline by Brian G. Hedges
II. Remember the call to be a disciple
Being a Christian means we no longer belong to ourselves—we are the Lord’s (Romans 14:8). Jesus purchased us with His blood, and our lives now exist to please and honor Him (2 Corinthians 5:14–15).
Discipleship isn’t a one-time decision; it’s a lifelong walk with the Lord. We entered the School of Christ (Matthew 11:28–30), took His yoke, and committed to learning from Him daily. We no longer live for self but for the honor and glory of the One who died and rose for us. Dwell upon your new identity regularly—it reorients everything and keeps all of life in perspective.
III. Remember that the Word of God is alive
The Bible is not a dead letter; it is “living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword” (Hebrews 4:12). It pierces, discerns, convicts, nourishes, and transforms us from within. We were born again through this imperishable seed (1 Peter 1:23) and in this new life that we now live, the Word of God is food for our souls and a light to our path (Psalm 119:105).
When we undervalue time in Scripture, it’s often an indicator that we haven’t yet grasped how powerful and personal God’s Word truly is. The more we taste its life-giving and world-transforming power, the less we can stay away from it. If you want to be fruitful and avoid stagnation, make regular exposure to the living Word non-negotiable.
IV. Get active—prioritize disciplined time meeting God in the Word and prayer
Disciples are to be disciplined people. Paul disciplined his body to avoid disqualification (1 Corinthians 9:27). Jesus Himself rose early to pray (Mark 1:35). Like Paul and all the early disciples, we too have been given by God a spirit of power, love, and self-control—not timidity (2 Timothy 1:7).
Some days the Word excites us; other days it requires sheer obedience to get still, sit down, and open our Bible. Discipline isn’t legalism—it’s actually freedom. A consistent habit (even when feelings are absent) builds spiritual stamina and deep roots. It also strengthens our ability to discern, and it keeps us from rusting or becoming rotten. Start small if needed, but start nonetheless. A vibrant and fruitful life in the Lord requires that you let the Word of God dwell richly within you. Ask the Lord for help to sustain the life-giving habit of reading the Word.
V. Apply God’s Word intentionally
Hearing the Word without applying it or putting it into practice reveals that we have been deceived (James 1:22). The believers in Hebrews became dull partly because they weren’t putting truth into practice. They were deceived into thinking there was a better way to be a Christian.
But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. - Hebrews 5:14
How does this work?
After reading or hearing the Word, pause and consider: What should change in my attitudes, habits, relationships, or priorities? Then take tangible steps of obedience. This simple, but often skipped practice, will keep truth alive in us and prevent us from becoming hearers only.
VI. Benefit from fellowship with brothers and sisters in Christ
Isolation from the family of God cools us down. Charcoal burns brightly when together but it quickly dies when left alone. Hebrews urges us: “Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together…but encouraging one another” (Hebrews 10:24–25).
Community keeps us accountable, challenged, and encouraged. When we share life, confess struggles, pray together, and spur one another toward Christlikeness, we all burn brighter. In a culture of indifference (especially noticeable in Western countries), committed fellowship can also be a powerful counter-cultural witness. We must resist the temptation to follow Christ independent of the body of Christ.
It is of utmost importance that we join and commit ourselves to a biblical church. A vibrant and fruitful life that avoids stagnation and rottenness depends upon our being members of a true and biblical church body.
These six keys aren’t a checklist to earn God’s favor—they flow from the grace and true life we’ve already received in Christ. The same Savior who sympathizes with our weaknesses (Hebrews 4:15–16) empowers us to grow in grace and excel still more (2 Peter 3:18; 1 Thessalonians 4:1,10).
Don’t settle for spiritual infancy or indifference. Put down and avoid whatever dulls your hunger for more of God (yes, even that extra glass of Prosecco if it’s becoming an escape), and press on toward maturity—for your joy and for His glory.
Brothers and sisters, don’t settle for milk when solid food is waiting. Stay active in Christ, keep growing in grace, and let’s excel still more—for our good and for His name. May the Lord stir us afresh today."
Fellow soldier of the Lord serving on the frontlines, the temptations and traps of the evil one surround you. Stay vigilant. Be watchful. You have much to do and supplies, resources, and fellow laborers are few. Keep fellowship with the reigning Lord Jesus Christ your top priority. Fight the good fight. Stand firm.
Sempre avanti. Soli Deo Gloria.
Written by Jesse Schreck | founder, director, and missionary church planter in Italy with Practical Missions Cohort
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