Abide in Me

Lesson #240

Our Father is the vinedresser who cares for the vineyard, especially the branches where fruit is produced. He lifts up those that have fallen down and prunes those that are putting out extra growth instead of fruit. The vineyard is to be kept free of other plant life, like weeds, that would interfere with good fruit bearing. In this sense, the word of God can act as a cleansing agent to aid in fruit production. We are being encouraged to produce fruit, but what is really needed to bear fruit?

“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me” (John 15:4 ESV). Jesus is making it clear that he wants us to abide in him; to intentionally come to him and retain an active relationship with him. He also wants us to allow him into our lives; to live his life through us. This is a picture of intimacy; a vital union in which we come to him by faith and we accept him into our life.

John then using the vine and branch relationship, points out the importance of the vine in providing nourishment for the branches for the purpose of producing fruit. The branch cannot produce fruit by its self and neither can we. We must be connected to Jesus Christ if we are to bear fruit, but what is this fruit that we are to bear? The answer seems to depend on who you ask as people emphasize different fruits. I would like to point out two that I believe should be considered.

First, if we look at Galatians 5:16 – 24 we find the works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit listed. As one reads through this passage, it becomes clear that we are to crucify the flesh with its passions and desires (verse 24) and allow the fruit of the Spirit to show forth. Over the years I have come to embrace the idea that there is only one fruit and that is love and the others are characteristics of love. I came to this conclusion during my time in China when students continued to comment about these characteristics of love they saw in me. I continued to tell them what they saw was evidence of God living in me; a God who is love and what they saw were characteristics of his love. Therefore, one way to bear fruit is to show evidence of God in our lives through a display of his love characteristics, thus drawing loss sheep to Jesus. Some see good works as fruit. Whether it be good works or characteristics of God’s love, the end result is to bring loss sheep to Jesus for salvation.

Second, and major evidence of fruit is found in creation. “And God said, “Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind, on the earth.” And it was so. The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed according to their own kinds, and trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind. And God saw that it was good” (Genesis 1:11 – 12 ESV). The primary purpose of God’s creation is for life to bear fruit after its kind. Hear plants are to bear fruit. Next God created fish and birds and animals and he told them to go and bear fruit after their kind (Genesis 1:20 – 25). After these he created man and he told them to go forth and be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth (Genesis 1:26 – 31). But remember, Jesus told Nicodemus that he must be born again; he must have spiritual life (John 3:3:3). In John 15:8, Jesus said that his Father would be glorified if we bear fruit, but then in John 15:16, Jesus makes it clear what this fruit is that we are to bear. He said, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you” (ESV). From Genesis 1, the purpose of creation is to bear fruit; fruit that remains are born again believers that form the body of Christ and populate the kingdom of God. Bearing fruit must contribute to the process of populating the family of God.

Prayer

Father, it appears from my study that after Adam sinned, you allowed the fallen human race to continue to populate the earth with fallen people, determined to live for themselves. From this great multitude of humans, living under the curse of death, you have chosen a group, according to your sovereignty, that will come to salvation. It is these lost sheep that we are to find and disciple. This, I believe is our assigned work and includes all of us applying the gifts given to us. This process of finding and bringing to maturity these lost sheep appears to be the process of bearing fruit. Father, I find this to be an exciting adventure of searching for those you have chosen and as my brothers and sisters, helping them adjust to family living with you as our Father.