Bearing Fruit

Jesus said, “Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away; and every branch that bears fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit…. If anyone does not abide in me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned” (John 15:2, 6, NKJV).

This portion of scripture convicts me deeply. I have read and re-read these powerful words of Christ, and I cannot escape their convicting power. The Holy Spirit has impressed upon me the importance of understanding these words, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away; and every branch that bears fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit” (John 15:1-2).

This matter of Christians bearing fruit is not optional with God. He watches over his vine and all the engrafted branches with great jealousy and concern, patiently waiting for the branches to bring forth fruit. He stands beside it with a pruning knife in hand, lovingly looking for the slightest evidence of corruption, blight, or disease that could hinder growth. God expects fruit from every branch. Without fruit, it is impossible to honor and glorify him or be a true disciple of Christ. Jesus said, “By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be my disciples” (John 15:8).

Bearing fruit has everything to do with pleasing God, fulfilling our mission in Christ, and having our prayers and petitions answered. Jesus said, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you” (John 15:16).

Actually, bearing fruit concerns what we are becoming, rather than simply what we are doing. I am bearing fruit when nothing hinders the flow of Christ’s life into me. That is what Jesus meant when he said, “You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you” (John 15:3).

Beloved, Jesus is saying, “Because you believed my word, trembling over it, letting it reveal every hidden secret, bringing to light every dark thing, and allowing the Word of God to purge you, the hindrances are all gone!”