Much Fruit
Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. ~John 15:8
This year, some of my church members who have avocado trees had a very abundant harvest of avocados. In fact, they had so many avocados that they were giving much of them away to friends. For the owners of the trees as well as those who enjoyed the avocados, it can be said that this was a year of much fruit. Much fruit is the evidence of a healthy tree. Much fruit is a great delight to the one who owns it. This morning, we want to consider the application of much fruit-bearing in the life of every believer.
There is the secret in fruit-bearing.
Every fruit-bearing life is the result of a deeply engrafted relationship and walk with God. Jesus said, “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.” Without a close, abiding relationship in the Lord Jesus Christ, we cannot bear much fruit. Abiding in Christ involves much time in the Word of God and allowing it to transform our life on a moment by moment basis. It includes long, earnest, and intimate seasons of prayer with God. Just as a healthy branch is connected to a vine that is deeply rooted in the earth, so must the Christian life be deeply rooted in Christ. Much fellowship, much fruit; little fellowship, little fruit.
There is the success in fruit-bearing.
A successful Christian life brings forth much fruit. There is the fruit of the Spirit, which is the overflow of a life controlled by the Spirit of God. There are consistent and powerful answers to prayer. There are souls that are saved from a consistent and powerful witness. There is the ability to love people on a level as Jesus loved people. It is the ability to love the unlovable. It is the ability to love those who hate you and do adverse things against you. A life that bears much fruit is the only kind of Christian life that is successful.
There is the substantiation in fruit-bearing.
A fruit-bearing life is the greatest testimonial that you are a true disciple of Jesus Christ. It demonstrates that you practice being in God’s presence. It demonstrates that you are a perfect facsimile of Who Jesus is. It represents that you are serious about the Christian life. It shows that you have taken up your cross and are following Him!
There is the sustainability in fruit-bearing.
God desires that the fruit we bring forth remains. It is fruit that is long-lasting. It is a life that is fruit-bearing in all seasons of life. Fruit that remains gives honor to God.
There is the satisfaction in fruit-bearing.
A life that bears much fruit gives glory to God. Our number one purpose in life is to give glory to God! "Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit." As we consider this, a life that is not bringing forth much fruit is not doing much to glorify God. Thus, the Christian life is such that we must bring ourselves into alignment with God’s will so that we bear much fruit for His glory. Anything less than this is a dishonor to God.
Are you bearing much fruit for the Lord? There is a correlation between our fellowship with God and our fruitfulness for God. Take some time this morning to evaluate what kind of fruit-bearing Christian you are. Make it your desire to bear much fruit and testify that you are His disciple!
Have a fruitful God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: 2 Kings 6-8