John 15:8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
So often in the midst of perplexing or uncertain circumstances, we are at a loss to know or understand what God’s will is for our lives. While the specific will of God is in “the process” of being fulfilled, there is one thing regarding the will of God that we must always remember. It is that we bear fruit in order that our Heavenly Father be glorified. In this beautiful Vine-branch teaching of Jesus, it is as clear as day that it is God’s will that each and every branch bear fruit for the glory of God.
How do we bear such fruit? Let The Lord Jesus answer for Himself. “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.” By looking at the entire teaching of Jesus here in John 15, abiding in Jesus is closely related to abiding in His Word (verses 4 & 7). What does that mean? Take a walk and find a vine. Check it out. What are those branches that are bearing fruit or beautiful flowers doing? They are doing nothing but abiding in the vine.
Beloved, all of the life that we need comes from our vital union with Jesus Christ. All of the fruit that brings glory to The Father comes from our vital union with Jesus Christ. And, a vital ingredient to abiding comes from a steady diet of God’s Word. Let me fill you in on a family secret, beloved. God says what He means and means what He says. He tells us in His Word that He is Faithful and True. He tells us in His Word that He will never leave us nor forsake us. He tells us in His a Word that we will prosper and bear fruit if we dwell in His Word day and night. He tells us in His Word that all of the promises of God (and how many might that be?) are yea and Amen in Christ. Thus, by reading, meditating, praying and living in faithful obedience to God’s Word and hope in His promises, we are sure to bear fruit that glorifies The Father.
Right now beloved, you are designed to bear fruit. That is why you were redeemed, to bear fruit. Not produce fruit, bear fruit. There is no fruit bearing apart from believing and abiding in Jesus Christ. You may not be feeling very fruitful right now. What are your options? Continue to abide in Jesus and bear fruit, or choose to sever yourself from The Vine and get burned. Hmm… Not much of a choice, is it?
The conclusion? Abide in Jesus. Abide in His Word. Let The Spirit and Word of God flow in you and through you. Purpose to put the glory of the Father on display despite what you feel or think. Money doesn’t grow on trees and God glorifying fruit doesn’t grow on branches severed from faith in Jesus. Beloved, remember these words of Jesus today. John 15:9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. Abide in His love for you, and you bear God glorifying fruit.
