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

And on the night of the Last Supper, Christ gave a discourse on His disciples’ need to faithfully abide in Him. It appeared to be a sad farewell sermon, but it was also a wonderful 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 of the world. But He reminded them, as He does us, that He is the true vine, the pure Word of God! 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.”  

The command for every born-again believer to bear fruit is still just as imperative to our existence as it was for the disciples that night. The analogy Christ used—He is the vine—gives the picture of a vine that grows on a wall. It has innumerable branches; we are those branches and cannot survive without the nourishment of the vine. The Father is the husbandman. He knows His garden and what it needs to be fruitful. He tends it, prunes it, takes away those things that will prohibit growth, and gives the increase…The apostle Paul wrote, “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.” 1 Corinthians 3:6.

Let us allow Christ to dwell in us richly, having full reign in our lives and faithfully leading and guiding us according to His perfect will, so that we may forever produce spiritual fruit. “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.

The apostle Paul prayed for the Philippian saints to bear “the fruit of righteousness,” which provides the evidence of all who have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior. When we are obedient to the leading of the Holy Spirit, we will bear fruit that empowers us to live in fellowship with God and our fellow man… “Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.” Philippians 1:11.

And…watch as well as pray, for everyone that cries Lord, Lord is not connected to the true vine. Be mindful of the people and things you allow into your spiritual space. There are many false branches in this world, seeking to lead us astray and destroy our witness, but God will do the separating in His own time. He knows us one by one. “Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.” Matthew 12:33. 

My friends, seek every day to be obedient to the Holy Spirit, praying to grow in wisdom, knowledge, and understanding… resting in the promise that He abides in us, and we in Him. And just watch how He miraculously allows His peace, love, joy, and amazing grace to shine in and through you, bearing much fruit for His glory! “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.” John 15:8.

God’s blessings of love be with you always!