Scripture – ““I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
John 15:5 NIV
Observation – Jesus teaches about “bearing fruit” in verses 15:1-17. What does it mean to bear fruit? In these seventeen verses bearing fruit is described as answered prayer, living with joy and loving people. Galatians says the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. As followers of Jesus we don’t create fruit in our lives, the fruit is the natural result of remaining and being connected with Jesus. Apple trees produce apples, banana trees produce bananas and grape vines produce grapes. That is what they were made for and that is what they do. No one is surprised when they walk through an apple orchard and see all the trees with apples on them but if there is one tree that isn’t producing fruit even a small child will ask, “why doesn’t this tree have any apples when all the other trees have apples on them?” If a person identifies with Jesus and says they are a believer they should be producing apples, if they aren’t the person is “sick” or they aren’t an apple tree.
Application – If you love Jesus and there is no fruit in your life, or someone has to search really hard to find an apple, what is going on? Jesus says you aren’t remaining in him. Maybe the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things have come in and choked the word, making you unfruitful. Maybe you have made a superficial commitment and years of no fruit have revealed that you aren’t in Christ. It could be that you love Jesus but aren’t in his word and you if are not in Church you are spiritually starved. Land without rain, sunshine and proper soil isn’t going to produce fruit. It could be you have allowed fear of man to rule your life instead of faith in Christ. Repent and come back to him with your whole heart, he will make you fruitful. Confess this to a good friend and have them pray for you.
Prayer – Lord, I pray that all believers would stay humble and understand that they must stay connected to you to fulfill the purpose you have for their lives. I pray they also would understand that walking with you and being fruitful is fun! Amen.
What are you doing? Do it better 