“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” – Galatians 5:22-23
What do you need to do to bear fruit?
We can sometimes get caught up in what fruit we bear or how much. Sometimes we can even start to wonder if we are really saved if we don’t see enough of the type of fruit we want to see or what we think should be there.
What we see from this passage from Galatians as well as other Bible passages is that the fruit comes from God, not us. Much like a branch doesn’t will itself to bear fruit neither do we. Rather, as long as the branch is connected to the vine, it will live and bear fruit.
So, with us, as long as we stay connected to Christ, we will live and bear fruit. What a great blessing and a great relief! We don’t have to strive to bear fruit, we just have to stay connected to Jesus.
This is what we are told in John 15:4-8.
“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. 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. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.” – John 15:4-8
Dear Jesus,
Help me to abide, or live, in You and You live in me. Draw me to You every day throughout the day. Draw me to Your Word. Call me to pray. Lead me to worship. Hold me fast in You that I may have life and bear much fruit.
Amen.
In Christ’s Service,
Pastor Kurt
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