18 February 2024

BECOMING FRUITFUL IN CHRIST

(Going Forward in Christ: GFIC 7)

After committing our life to Christ by faith, the next step is bearing fruit. The Lord expects us to “bear much fruit” so that we may please and glorify the Father. Jesus said, “This is to My Father’s Glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be My disciples” (John 15:8 -NIV). Notice that fruit bearing glorifies God and proves that we are truly disciples of Christ. We are not just to bear fruit but to “bear much fruit”. The Lord gives the warning that the Father will “cut off every branch in Me that bears no fruit” (v.2). We need to take careful heed of this warning and take serious stock of our life: are we true followers of Christ?

The fruit referred to is the fruit of repentance and faith. John the Baptist told those who wanted to be baptised to prove their sincerity: “Bring forth fruit worthy of repentance” (Luke 3:8 - NJKV). This is also the Fruit of the Holy Spirit, described for us in Galatians 5:22-23: “The Fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (NIV). This shows that our life has been transformed by the power of God as Scripture says: “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. All this is from God, Who reconciled us to Himself through Christ” (2 Cor.5:17-18). A changed life is proof of true faith and conversion.

Then there is the fruit of soulwinning. Our Lord gives this command: “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed so that you might go and bear fruit – fruit that will last” (John 15:16). Here Christ appoints us to “go and bear fruit”. This implies that we are to bear witness to Him and bring people to faith in Him though our testimony. He enables us to do this by empowering us with His Holy Spirit: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you and you will be My witnesses” (Acts 1:8).

Now the question is, how can we ensure that we can bear fruit all the time? Christ Himself gives us the answer in John 15. We are to walk close to Him: “Remain in Me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the Vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me. 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” (v.14-15). To remain in Christ is to have a close and intimate relationship of faith in Him. That means we must have a disciplined walk with Christ in Worship and in the Word of God. Reading the Bible and worshipping Him daily is the only way we can become fruitful continually.

Just as the branch receives nourishment from the Vine in order to stay alive and bear fruit, so we as the branches of Christ the Vine must continually feed on Him through our intimate relationship with Him. Hence the Apostle Paul said, “I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me” (Phil.4:13). Christ gives us strength to live victoriously so that we can bear much fruit to glorify the Father. This comes through remaining in Him continually. 

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