The Secret to Bearing Fruit
In John 15, even before Jesus’ showed us how to bear fruit, He first showed us the grave danger of failing to do so: “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away…” (John 15:1-2). This should alert us to the seriousness of a fruitless Christian life. For Jesus did not choose us so that we will only be saved from our sins but that we shall go on to bear lasting fruit: “You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain…” (John 15:16). This is a principal reason for your existence today and should be your goal in life. Bearing fruit, and not only that but bearing much of it, is how we bring glory to God and proof that we are indeed disciples of Jesus: “My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples”(John 15:8). Some of our prayers that have remained unanswered, including some of the depths we have failed to experience in Christ, are as a result of our failure to bear fruit:“You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you” (John 15:16). So, how do we bear the fruits God expects to bear?
Jesus gave us the secret to bearing fruit in John 15:4, “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me”. In Jesus’ words, there is no way to bear fruit unless you abide in Him. What does it practically mean to abide in Christ? Jesus answered this in John 15:10, “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love…” (John 15:10). Jesus is God, He is love, and He is the Word of God (1 John 4:16; John 1:1, John 10:30). Thus, keeping the commandments of Jesus or obeying the Word of God is how we abide in His love and thereby abide in Christ (John 15:10). And abiding in Christ is how we bear fruit (John 15:14). In the words of Jesus, keeping the commandments of the Father was how He abode in Him and it is the same way we are also going to abide Him (see John 15:10). This is how Jesus walked in God’s perfect will and fulfilled what was written concerning Him (cf. Hebrews 10:7). It is the same way we are also going to walk in the center of God’s will and accomplish what He has written in His book concerning us (cf. Psalm 139:16). Obedience to God and is His Word is the key.
Our call, however, is not to simply bear fruit, but to bear an abundance of fruit (John 15:8). How do we do this? Jesus showed us in John 15:1-2, “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser….every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit”. To bear more fruit, you should start by being diligent to bring forth fruit, however little it may be, with what God has already given you. Be diligent to obey God in all the major and minor affairs of your life. As you do this, you will be abiding in Christ, and as you abide in Him, you will surely bear fruits. Consequently, God will prune you so that you will bear more fruits. This is the path to increase. It is the same truth Jesus shared when He said, “For whoever has, to him more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him” (Matthew 13:12)”.
The pruning process, however, may look like damage to the tree and a recently pruned tree may even look dead. However, the pruning process is necessary to remove any excess and unwanted (e.g., diseased) portions of the tree. In this way, the tree is able to use its resources efficiently to increase its vigour, growth, and fruit production. In the same way when we are pruned, as we abide in Christ and look unto Him, we lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and we run with endurance the race that is set before us unto victory (cf. Hebrews 12:1-2). Therefore, do not be discouraged when you seem not to make any progress although you have been faithfully abiding in Christ. A great work of pruning may be taking place in you. After you have been pruned, you will bear much fruit, bring glory to God, grow in your authority in Christ, receive whatever you ask for, and proof yourself to be Jesus’ disciples (cf. John 15:8).
Kwadwo Omari, PhD
August 30, 2022
A Very Important Message
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life (John 3:16). For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23). Therefore, If you do not know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, I invite you to put your faith in Him. Pray the prayer below to accept Jesus Christ as your Saviour: “I come to you God in Jesus’ name and surrender my life unto you. I repent of my sins and I ask You to forgive me all my sins. I confess with my mouth that Jesus is Lord, and I believe with my heart that God has raised Jesus from the dead. I thank you God for saving me, in Jesus name, Amen”. If you sincerely prayed this prayer, believe and be assured that you are saved, for the Bible says that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved (Romans 10:13, Romans 10:9-10, Acts 16:31). Find a Bible believing church to attend so that you can be discipled to grow in the ways of God. You can also email me ([email protected]) and I will be happy to grow together with you in Christ.