Day 9: Bearing Fruit

John 15: 3-4
You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

I’m reminded of a funny illustration I heard once:
A little boy went over to a pastor's house, where the pastor was doing some carpentry in his garage. The boy simply stood there and watched him for quite a long time. The preacher wondered why this boy was watching him and was finally so curious that he stopped and said, "Son, are you trying to pick up some pointers on how to build something?"
The little boy replied, "No. I am just waiting to hear what a preacher says when he hits his thumb with a hammer."
As we have been looking at the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, it’s one thing to exhibit fruit like this when things are going well, but it is even more challenging as a Christian to live a fruitful life when things are going bad or when the unexpected shows up.

The important part of bearing fruit in our lives is that “no branch can bear fruit by itself, it must remain in the vine” (John 15:4). I have to remember that I cannot bear fruit like this on my own. I can’t force myself to bear more fruit just because I want to. I fool myself to think that I can simply choose to be more faithful or intentionally be more self-controlled. However, according to Scripture, these attributes -- these fruits -- come as we remain in Jesus.  As we stay in step with the Holy Spirit in our lives, remaining in the vine, who is Jesus, our character reflects fruit no matter what we face in life.

Prayer Prompts

1. Jesus reveals Himself as the True Vine in John 15.  This can also mean that there are false vines in our lives that we may be connected to and may produce different attitudes in our lives contrary to the Fruit of the Spirit. Ask the Holy Spirit today to examine your heart to reveal what false vines you may be connected to.
2. Reject those vines and receive the True Vine. Spend time abiding in Christ today. Ask the Holy Spirit for His empowerment in your life so that you can remain in Jesus. It is through Him that we can bear much fruit.
3. “You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.” (John 15:3) Do you sometimes forget as believers you are forgiven and covered, and washed by the blood of Jesus? Do you find yourself stuck in cycles of shame and failure because you keep messing up? Embrace the freedom that was already paid for on the cross in order to understand that everything is NOT on you. Ask Jesus to remind you who you are in Him, and live out your identity in Christ in full confidence today!