BEARING MUCH FRUIT

⁵ “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

Source: Google Images

These sobering words from our Lord underscore the truth that bearing fruit is not a result of one’s self-effort but rather a manifestation of the grace of God at work in one’s life. When Christ is in us and we are in Him then and only then will we bear fruit and the fruit that results will be the kind of fruit that glorifies God.

Notice the Word says “if you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit”, that’s the only arrangement, if you will, that will result in us bearing much fruit. He is to be in us and we are to be in Him; while the importance of accepting and inviting Jesus into our lives as Lord and Savior cannot be overemphasized, it is us living, abiding in Him that results in much fruit being borne in our lives.

You see, being born again is a one time event where our spirits are recreated by the Spirit of God and He inhabits us, now that’s the part where Jesus comes to be in us. How do we then live and abide in Him? By obeying His Word that’s how, and the Good News is, He is the one who enables us to obey His Word, for He writes His law (Christ’s Law not the Law of Moses) on our hearts (Hebrews 8:10). He gives us the will and the desire to obey Him for His good pleasure (Philippians 2:13).

As we continue to walk with Him, doing what He leads and directs us to do, we will be bearing fruit without even being aware of it. As we yield to the leading of the Holy Spirit, His fruit will be evidenced in our lives. The fruit of the Spirit is what brings glory to God for it reflects His essence, character and attributes.

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. – Galatians 5:22-23 NIV

Without Christ we can do absolutely nothing, all our plans, strategies, methods and means will never result in fruit, let alone fruit that will glorify God. Just like a branch cannot bear fruit unless it stays connected to the vine, without abiding in Christ we cannot bear fruit. Depending our own efforts, instead of drawing from the ability of Christ in us, will result in what the Word of God calls “the works of the flesh” being produced in our lives.     

¹⁹ Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, ²⁰ idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, ²¹ envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. – Galatians 5:19-21

Let us therefore put no confidence in our flesh, that is in our own efforts, but instead let us endeavor depend on the power of Christ in us, let us walk in the Spirit so that we will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh (Galatians 5:16). Let us trust the Holy Spirit to continually keep on transforming us into the image and likeness of Christ. Only then will we bear much fruit, the kind of fruit that will last, fruit that will glorify our Abba, for that is how He is glorified.

⁸ When you bear (produce) much fruit, My Father is honored and glorified, and you show and prove yourselves to be true followers of Mine. – John 15:8 AMP   

We may skilfully play, sing, shout and dance before God (and we should)  but if we aren't abiding in Christ, then we aren't producing much fruit which means (with all our singing and what not) we are not bringing any glory or honor to God.

Source: Google Images

Paul, the apostle knew of this truth and lived it. His life was filled with fruit that glorified God as a result of the grace of God at work in him. He accomplished much, but He knew and boldly declared that it wasn't his own efforts but God’s grace that enabled him to do what he did.

¹⁰ But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. – 1 Corinthians 15:10 NIV

Bearing much fruit is the inevitable result of remaining in Christ, it is the unavoidable consequence of being totally dependent on the grace of God in everything you do. His grace is sufficient for you today – depend on it!