BEAR FRUIT TO THE GLORY OF GOD

Dearly Beloved, BEAR FRUIT TO THE GLORY OF GOD “By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples” (John 15:8 NKJV). Can you imagine planting a tree that refuses to bear desired fruits? What would you do to such a tree? How would you treat a tree that bears its fruits in due season? The discourse of Jesus Christ recorded in John 15 was part of His valedictory speech to His disciples. It is believed by some Bible scholars that the discourse was delivered in the Temple, where there was a golden vine symbolizing the life of Israel as God’s vine. Other scholars believe that it was delivered on the Mount of Olives, where there were many vine and olive trees. This discourse was the last “I AM” saying out of the seven of such sayings in the Gospel of St. John. Jesus Christ declared: “I am the true vine.... you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit..." (John 15:1, 5 NKJV). The analogy of the vine was familiar to the disciples of Jesus Christ because in the Old Testament, the people of Israel were referred to as God’s vine (Psalm 80:8-16; Isaiah 5:1-7; Jeremiah 2: 21). It was a pity that the people of Israel failed God in not bearing the desired good fruit. They became wild vine. So, Jesus Christ referred to Himself as the true Vine because He was doing the will of His father, and His personal life testifies to it. The secret of this was that God, the Gardener, was in charge of all He was doing. The Vine plant is the common grapevine that is slender and trails on the ground or climbs support. It is one of the prominent plants in Palestine. You can liken it to any prominent tree in your neighbourhood. In John 15:5, Jesus Christ referred to His disciples, and every Christian, as the branches of the vine. A branch cannot exist on itself. For it to survive, it must remain in the plant. Moreover, its main purpose is to bear fruits. Christians are to bear fruits from Jesus Christ. They are not to produce the fruits. To bear is to bring forth from another thing, but to produce is to make, create, grow, or manufacture something. The fruits that we are to bear involve a godly life (Matthew 7:16-20), and virtues of character (Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians 5:9; Philippians 1:11). We are not just to bear fruit, but also to bear much fruit (John 15:2, 8). This is why Jesus Christ will prune us to bear much fruit – fruit that will last (John 15:2, 8, 16). However, to be able to bear fruit for Christ, Christians have to remain in Him (John 15:4). Just as an ordinary branch has to remain in the plant for it to survive, we also have to remain in Jesus Christ. If we do not remain in Him, we are like a cutaway branch that will soon wither and become firewood. Jesus Christ said it point-blank that, “…for without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5b NKJV). Are you in Christ? Jesus Christ promised two things for those who remain in Him and bear fruit for Him. These two things are: growth (John 15:2) and answer to prayer (John 15:7). He promised to prune everyone that is bearing fruit for Him. In Palestine, every year, gardeners prune their vines. They cut off the dead wood, which has no life in it, and trim the living branches so that their yield will be greater. Likewise, God is dressing every fruitful believer to make him/her grow in the faith. Furthermore, suppose anyone remains in Jesus Christ. In that case, his/her prayers will be answered (cf. Proverbs 28:9). God is ready to do whatever he/she wishes, provided it is in accordance with God’s will (John 14:13; 1 John 3:21-22; 5:14-15), and will give God glory (cf. John 15:8). The main thing for bearing fruit for Jesus Christ is for God to be glorified (John 15:8). Anything that would not bring glory to God is not worth doing (see John 2:11; 1 Corinthians 10:31; 1 Peter 5:8-11). The desire of the Lord Jesus Christ is that you bear fruit that will glorify God. Are you bearing fruit for Jesus Christ to the glory of God? In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray that you will continue to bear fruit for Christ so that God will be glorified in your life.