Wednesday
By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. - Matthew 7:16, 20
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. – John 15:5,8
We have looked at how Jesus tells us we can discern the truth in another’s teaching. We should be aware that not everyone who claims the name of the Lord is actually teaching the truth about him, but there is another, more personal application of this passage for us. We must be willing to apply Jesus’ teaching to the fruitfulness of our own lives!
First of all, what exactly is “fruit”? What does the Bible mean when it talks about being fruitful? Most of us probably think of doing good deeds (i.e. serving in ministry, giving to the poor, etc.) Of course good deeds are a part of what it means to bear fruit. However, if we stop at the external actions and not probe deeper to the heart behind the actions, we miss the entire point of not only this passage, but of the whole Sermon on the Mount!
The fruit which Jesus is referring to here is Christlikeness -- his character reproduced in us. In Galatians 5:22-23 the Apostle Paul says, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Nine qualities gathered as one cluster, just as a grapevine produces. It consists, really, of the spiraling application of the first three, love, joy, and peace. As those reach out to involve the relationships of life they appear as patience, loving kindness, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control. So love and joy and peace are the fruit he expects in us.
But how does this happen? How can we produce this kind of fruit in our lives? The answer is that we cannot produce it! We can do a good deed now and then, but only Christ can transform us on the inside into truly loving, peaceful, patient and joyful people. Look closely at the images Jesus uses in the following passage;
I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. - John 15:1-5
We do not produce fruit, we only bear it. In other words, we are just displaying the good things that Christ is doing in our lives. We produce nothing! If we are just the branches, then we have no life and no fruit unless we are connected to the vine – Jesus! Jesus says himself, no branch can bear fruit by itself.
Take a few moments to reflect on the following questions…
What does it mean for you to “remain” in Christ?
Where have you seen the evidence fruitfulness (Christlikeness) in your life?
Where do you need to be “pruned” so that you can be even more fruitful?
Jeff Frazier
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3 comments:
Thank you Pastor Jeff for this message - these are items that I must work on everyday to be more Christlike. This was very encouraging to see these scriptures.
I like the way these important words are shared with us here, offering inspiration to press on in our ability to influence others to bring them to know Him.
This frees us from the overwhelming thought that we have to take on the intimidating task of public "evangelism", or be perfect to attain the power of persuasion. Though, to bring others to know Him more was the true desire of my heart, I felt unworthy, not having scripture memorized to impress meaningful quotes upon others. Or perhaps, impressing others was my misguided hope.
Ultimately, it is a relief when we come to realize the true meaning, that WE are not the ones expected to produce the fruit, let alone have the power to do so. Rather, as it says here, realizing our focus is more internal by working from within to make sure the fruit HE produces in us is displayed in a genuinely beautiful way, that those looking on will find this fruit appetizing. This is especially powerful to those who are searching; at a time such as this when there are so many who crave "something" for their dissatisfied spirit. Who would go to the produce department and reach for rotten fruit?
A greater challange for me is to focus on the fertilizer process, polish the fruit I have been given and continue to surrender control to the master gardener; allowing Him to make room on my branches to bear more. Eventually, as we press on, He will give us the privilege of influencing an entire grove of fruit-bearing trees right here in our own sphere, where we work and live!
YOu are right, Kimberly. I too think remembering that the fruit is something we BE rather than something we DO, is quite freeing - especially these days, when we are all exhausted by trying to keep up with the Jones and DO so much. THis John passage gets to my favorite all-time verse, John 15:11 - which it occurs to me is quite freeing itself: God meant for us to have JOY from our obedience, and that JOY Is one of the fruit that shows us to be his disciples. The Kingdom life is enriching and wonderful - and He meant it to be so, so let it be!
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