Bearing Fruit
Scripture Reading — John 15:1-8
“If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
—John 15:5
Our “doing” for Jesus has to flow out of our “being” with Jesus.
Jesus said it this way: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” A branch, apart from the vine from which it draws life and nourishment, is unable to bear fruit. In fact, a branch that is disconnected from the vine is really no more than kindling for a fire.
Imagine if all your busyness, in the end, amounted to nothing. Imagine if the activities and work you’re involved in failed to add up to any lasting value. Basically Jesus said, “Unless you’re living in me, and I am living in you, all your running and chasing and striving will amount to nothing. Only what flows out of a dynamic, living relationship with me will bear fruit that lasts.”
Our own strength is not enough. We need to draw our strength from the vine if we want our lives to bear fruit for God’s kingdom.
The most important part of the Christian life is the part that only God sees. We find God’s deepest blessing when we spend time at the feet of the One who knows and loves us best.
O God, forgive us for the times we try to live out of our own strength. We need to be deeply connected to you so that your life can flow through us to others! Amen.
About the author — Shawn Brix
Rev. Shawn Brix has served as pastor in several Ontario churches. He and his wife, Jenny, have three children.
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