Praying for a Fruitful Year! 01/10/2012

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Has it really been five months since we challenged ourselves to "Abide in Christ" to the end that we might bear fruit as disciples of Christ?  Since our post in August, our gardens and fields have been harvested.  Many of us are enjoying tasty corn and applesauce from our freezers and are thankful for jars of vegetables, fruits,  jams, and jellies we are serving at our tables.  All these blessings are evidence of the fruit of physical labor.
These growing and harvest seasons serve as reminders of Christ's teachings on the work that remains to do in His spiritual harvest fields.

We understand that in nature fruit bearing branches are dependent on the vine.  Branches draw nourishment from the vine. If there is even a small disconnect between the vine and the branch the quality and quantity of fruit will suffer. So it is the Spirit.  The branch does not bear fruit of itself.   Christ words in John 15:5 describe our relationship to Him, "I am the vine you are the branches. He that abides in me and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit:  for without me you can do nothing."

These instructions were spoken only a few hours before Christ.'s arrest.
I am so thankful that the Word of God has preserved these Last Words to Jesus' disciples in John 15.  His Word is full of references to the Fruit of the Spirit.  I hope you will use a concordance and look them up in the coming days. But here in a few urgent verses Christ give us a formula for Spiritual Fruitfulness, guaranteed to bear much fruit.. 

In Christ teachings in John 15, we learn that the purpose for a follower of Christ is to produce fruit that remains. (vs 16). Disciples of Christ will keep His commandments (vs-10), do whatever Christ commands (vs-14),  love one another (vs-12),  and glorify the Father by bearing much fruit. (vs-8) 

Earlier in John 13 and 14,  the Lord had spoken of His death and departure.  The disciples were confused about this message.  Perhaps they were wondering how they would survive without Him., and here He was asking them to carry on His name.

Christ had already promised that they (and we) would not be alone. In John 14:16-17 Jesus said, "And I will pray the Father, and he will give you another Comforter that He may abide with you forever;  Even the Spirit of truth; ...for He will dwell with you and shall be in you."  None of us can Glorify God in our fruit-bearing without the empowering of the Holy Spirit.

Every child of God has been indwelled by the Spirit.  The fruit of the Spirit
(Galatians 5:22-23) is produced in us as the Holy Spirit uses God's precious Word to teach us "all things" (John 14:26) .  With the indwelling Holy Spirit, we have the resource to produce fruit that will bring Glory to God.  Producing fruit is what God has given His children to do today.  There are souls to be won, services to perform, and opportunities to glorify God.  May God give us a Fruitful 2012.

 

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