John 15 forces us to examine if our lives as Believers are producing fruit (lasting results)?
The Principle - v5
“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”
The Consequence - v6
“If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.”
The Key - v3, 7
“Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.”
“If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.”
The Blessing - v 8
“Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.”
LESSON - What too many Christians fail to realize is that God wants us to produce fruit. If we fail, it’s our fault not His. We may not like our circumstances or situations at times but just like seeds, we do not determine the field in which we are planted. We just have one purpose, to grow where we are planted and produce more seeds. If we will simply choose to fellowship with Him in His word on a constant basis, God has promised in this passage we will bear MUCH fruit! To do otherwise is to engage in a lifestyle filled with frustration and emptiness for “without Him we can do nothing.” Is your life bearing fruit?
~Mike