Feb 24: Fruit Check

John 15:9 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples

John 15 is a familiar passage where Jesus compares Himself to a vine and believers to branches. It is the clearest analogy used in describing our relationship with Christ, and more importantly the expectations The Father (compared to a vinedresser) has for the vine and the branches. Jesus goes on to explain that those who abide in Him will not only bear fruit, but also undergo pruning so that they will bear even more fruit.

The natural question that a believer must therefore ask is: What is the fruit that I should be bearing? What does it look in every day practical life?

When you meditate on all the portions in Scriptures that speaks about fruit, you will see that fruit is a character. Read these two verses:

• But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, Gal 5:22

• (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth) Eph 5:9

In both passages (Gal 5, Eph 5), Paul the apostle is speaking about people’s character and the state of their heart. Galatians 5 (vs 16 onwards) gives a long list of unholy and evil characteristics. Ephesians 5 likewise gives us a list of impure behaviors. All these unholy behaviors are examples of bad fruit. Whereas, walking in love and longsuffering and truth are given as examples of good fruit.

There is also plenty of warning for those not bearing good fruit. Here’s some verses to think about:

• Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Mt 7:19

• And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Lk 3:9

• And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down. Lk 13:9

• Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; Jn 15:2

Putting all of this together, it is pretty clear that God has expectations for those that follow Him. We cannot say we are saved, and then bear fruit that does not reflect the vine that we are connected to. Let’s ask ourselves some practical ‘fruit checking’ questions:

Ø  Do you get easily upset when somebody does not treat you the way you want to?

Ø  Do you entertain lustful thoughts when someone attractive catches your eye?

Ø  Are you being patient with that one difficult person whom you cannot get away from?

Ø  Do people see us as loving and kind, or proud and hard to talk to?

God’s expectation for His followers is that we resemble His character. And that takes precedence over power. Many disciples walk in power, but struggle with walking in character. Let that not be the case for you as a follower of Christ. Let your conduct be worthy of your call, and you can be assured that the Father will enjoy having you as the one of the branches of His vine, Jesus Christ.