GOT FRUIT ?
Jesus Christ talked intimately with His disciples just hours before He submitted to death on the Cross at Calvary. He communicated very important truth to them in those last few moments of His time with them, and we have this communication recorded in John, Chapter 15. His talk could easily have ended at John 14:31, those last words being "Rise, let's go from here." However, Jesus and His followers were very reluctant to leave; they ALL wanted to tarry longer as they realized that serious and sorrowful events awaited them.
As always my goal is to apply Biblical lessons to our own lives. So, let's consider our own desire to "tarry". I am sad to notice that many Christians do not spend quality time with Jesus in this time and culture we live in. We are so busy . . . things to do, people to see, appointments to keep, jobs to attend to, children's activities to transport them to, events to participate in, etc. Our schedules are full to the max and complicated. We leave no time to tarry with Jesus, though Jesus would love to tarry with us and to have us linger in His presence and not be in a hurry to leave. You know, the devil loves how busy we are; he enjoys distracting us from abiding in Jesus' presence! The devil will use every tool at his disposal to keep us from Jesus!
It was a very moving and emotional scene as Jesus and His disciples lingered there. His followers eagerly listened to His every word as He continued His talk with them. His disciples desperately needed to hear and take to heart His words! They experienced the Darkness of Doubt, the Misery of Misunder-standing and Frightening Frustration that penetrated their thoughts. Jesus longed to dispel those fears, erase the doubts, cure that misunderstanding and ease their frustration! Jesus, their Master, Teacher, Friend and Companion was Himself in the throes of inner, violent, and intense pain and suffering, experiencing the depths of His own sorrow prior to His crucifixion, but He was set on doing His best to comfort His bewildered disciples.
Are we seeking to pattern our life to His? Are we in our own sorrow, suffering, hurt and pain longing for and seeking Jesus' help and comfort that we might rise above it to help, comfort, encourage and benefit others in their struggles of life. Jesus longs to dispel our fears, to pick us up out of the pit of darkness, despair, discouragement, disillusionment, defeat and the curse of doubt! "He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure." (Psalm 40:2) Unfortunately, many Christians do not allow His work of love to bring about His victory in their life; instead rejecting His presence, love, mercy and grace. The Holy Spirit is sadly grieved when the work of Christ is so available to us and yet we ignore, reject or dismiss it. We have examples in the Bible.
Jesus said, "I am the bread of life. . . ." (John 6:35), and yet when He told the crowd of disciples, "no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father. . ." (John 6:65), Scripture says, "After this many of His disciples turned back and no longer walked with Him." (John 6:66) He thus was rejected by many and was grieved. In His sadness He even asked His twelve disciples, "Do you want to go away as well?" (John 6:67)
In Matthew 23:37, we find Jesus weeping over the City of Jerusalem. "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not!" God's own chosen people had rejected Him, His love, and grace! That caused Him to cry!
Within the twenty-seven verses that are in this 15th chapter of John, Jesus illustrated very clearly the unity which must exist between Himself and His followers. He said, "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch (His followers) in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit." (John 15:1-2) Let's ask ourselves, IS THERE FRUIT ON MY BRANCH? Jesus focused on the word "ABIDE" in His teaching the disciples. "Abide in me and I in you." (John 15:4) The word "abide" means to remain, lodge, dwell, continue, stay . . . tarry. Thus, Jesus told His disciples, "Remain in me and let me continually dwell in you." This extensive word "abide" relates to the personal relationship between a true and fruitful believer and Jesus Christ. Jesus uses this term to present clear and unmistakable truth about this relationship in John 15.
First, we discover that Jesus taught that Followers of Christ Pursue Holiness! "Already you are clean (holy) because of the word that I have spoken to you." (verse 3) "You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy." (Leviticus 19:2) "Consecrate yourselves, therefore, and be holy, for I am the LORD your God." (Leviticus 20:7) ". . .You shall be holy, for I am holy." (I Peter 1:16) ". . .pursue holiness without which no one will see the Lord." (Hebrews 12:14) The Prophet Isaiah said, "Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean (holy, pure), remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes; cease to do evil. . . ." (Isaiah 1:16) The Psalmist clarified who will go to heaven when he said, "Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? And who shall stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands (outer life) and a pure heart (inner life). . . ." (Psalm 24:3-4) ". . .it was granted her (the Church - The BRIDE OF JESUS) to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure. . . ." (Revelation 19:8) God requires that we have clean lips, clean feet, clean hands, clean eyes, clean thoughts, pure actions, clean conscience, and a clean, holy heart. Christ is not satisfied with any less than a pure, clean and holy vessel. He will not use an unclean one, and only the holy vessel can be fruitful rather than fruitless in His service. Spending time in His presence provides the power to live that holy life!
Second, true believers in Jesus are Instructed to Seek Fellowship With Him! "Abide in me, and I in you." (John 15:4) Again, Jesus said, "I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:5) Close and abiding fellowship with Jesus determines our fruitfulness. Are we choosing fruitfulness or fruitlessness? When our fellowship with Jesus is paramount, we will focus on daily communion with Him, consistent prayer, feeding on God's Word - The Bible - and seeking Him and His righteousness FIRST - above ALL ELSE! Our growing fellowship with Him enables us to share all our needs, troubles, desires and burdens with Him, and then listen for His words of comfort, encouragement, guidance and assurance! He then is the ONE of whom the Bible says, "cast all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you." (I Peter 5:7) ". . .and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ." (I John 1:3) The Greek word translated "fellowship" in the New Testament is "koinonia". It means partnership, sharing in common or communion. The essence of partnership is agreement or unity of purpose. Fellowship with God is, at its basic tenet, agreement with God in all things. We cannot ignore the fact that our fellowship with God also involves the truth that believers have true fellowship with one another because of the Holy Spirit who dwells within ALL believers in Jesus. (John 14:17)
Third, Abiding in Christ Results in Having A Love For God's Word! ". . .let my words abide in you." (John 15:7) When Christ truly abides in us and we in Him, His Word (the Bible) WILL find lodgement in our heart and life. If we are not a lover of God's Word, we are not abiding in Christ. When we find time to watch TV, video games, sports and engage in multiple activities, but have no time for God's Word, we cannot honestly say we are abiding in Christ. The result will be fruitlessness rather than fruitfulness! And take note of this: Abiding in Christ and allowing His Word to abide in us provides effective prayer, for Jesus said, . . ."ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you." (John 15:7) When our prayer life seems powerless, we should examine the extent to which we are abiding!
Fourth, believers who are abiding in Jesus Experience A Relationship Of Love! Here is the teaching of Jesus, "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in His love." (John 15:9-10) "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you." (John 15:12) Let's unpack the principes identified here. (Note this meaning of LOVE below)
Jesus loves us with the same amount and same kind of love that God the Father has for God The Son!
We are to love one another with this same love.
In Greek (original language of the New Testament), in each case the verb translated "love" here is AGAPAO or DIVINE, UNCONDITIONAL LOVE - the love that only comes from God!
The relationship of LOVE we are to demonstrate to others is based directly on our OBEDIENCE to God's Commandments, NOT ON OUR FEELINGS or EMOTIONS!
On the foundation and teaching of God's Word, we must conclude that if we do not love one another with the love of Jesus, we are not abiding in Christ!
Fifth, abiding in Jesus means that We Demonstrate Dependence UPON THE CHRIST! We are not to depend upon our own resources, wisdom, talents, gifts, abilities, creativity, or achievements, etc. NO, Jesus said, ". . .for apart from me, you can do nothing." (John 15:5) He also taught, ". . .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)
Let's not even attempt to produce goodness by ourself; we cannot do it! We settle for fruitlessness if we don't abide in the vine (Jesus); the only way to be fruitful is to abide in HIM! "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding." (Proverbs 3:5)
Sixth, abiding in Christ means BEARING FRUIT! God's intention and design for us is that we abide in Jesus and be productive in the Christian life.; He wants us to exhibit THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT! ". . .the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. . . ." (Galatians 5:22-23) "By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples." (John 15:8) If we truly abide in Jesus, WE WILL PRODUCE SPIRITUAL FRUIT! If we are not, then we must conclude we are not abiding in Jesus and our Father is not glorified by our life and we do not prove to be disciples of Jesus. A very sobering truth for these sobering times we live in! Fruitless branches are to be destroyed, according to Jesus. "If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a (fruitless) branch and withers; and these branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and are burned." (John 15:6) ONLY THE FRUIT-BEARING, ABIDING-IN-JESUS LIFE - IS A JOYFUL LIFE! "These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full." (John 15:11)
So, are we abiding in Christ the LORD? What kind of branch are we? Are we FRUITFUL OR FRUITLESS? Right now, let's commit to abide in Christ and ask God to empower us to be fruitful disciples of Jesus!
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