““Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.” John 15:8.

On the night of the Last Supper, Jesus spoke to His disciples about the need to faithfully abide in Him. Though it appeared as a somewhat sad discourse and solemn farewell, it was, in actuality, a wonderful and powerful promise of His abiding love. “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.” John 15:4. 

Several things were about to occur; they would be tempted by the enemy to forsake Christ, one another, and return to the ill-will and hatred ways of the world; but He reminded them, as He does us, that He is the true vine, and the only source of spiritual life, nourishment, and strength. John 15:1-4 states, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. 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.”  

What kind of fruit are you showing in your life today? Every born-again believer is still called to bear fruit, just as the disciples were. Jesus used the example of a vine growing on a wall with innumerable branches. We are those branches, and we need the vine’s nourishment to live. God the Father is the husbandman or gardener. He knows exactly what His garden needs to grow and flourish. So He cares for it, prunes it, removing anything that holds it back, and provides all that it needs to help it spring forth new life! “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23.

My Friends, we need the Holy Spirit’s power to live fruitful lives. Zechariah 4:6 says: “Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.”

We can do nothing in our own power. When we rely on our limited resources and knowledge, we miss the full anointing and endless supply from the Holy Spirit. He will provide all we need! “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.’ Matthew 7:20.

The Holy Spirit is often pictured as oil. One writer described it this way:

Oil lubricates when used for that purpose – there is little friction and wear among those who are lubricated by the Spirit of God. Oil heals and was used as a medicine in biblical times. The Spirit of God brings healing and restoration. Oil gives light when burned in a lamp. Where the Spirit of God is, there is light. Oil warms when used as fuel for a flame. Where the Spirit of God is, there is warmth and comfort. Oil invigorates when used for a massage – the Holy Spirit invigorates us for His service. Oil adorns when applied as a perfume. The Holy Spirit adorns us and makes us more pleasant to be around. And finally, Oil polishes when used to shine metal.  The Holy Spirit wipes away our grime, smoothing out our rough edges. -enduringword.com

My prayer is that the anointing and continual filling of the Holy Spirit rain down on all God’s beloved children, helping us to grow in wisdom, knowledge, and understanding; thereby bearing much fruit, resting in the promise of His abiding love forever! “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.” John 15:8.

May God’s love and blessings be with you always!