Untitled Document

header

The Blessings of Abiding in Him II: The Blessing of a Fruitful Life

If you've ever done anything for God, you know how rewarding and fulfilling it is. If you've ever made a difference in the life of another or accomplished some great goal or produced results in any area of your life, then I'm sure you'll agree that it is most gratifying. At those times, we tend to feel that our lives are truly purposeful and that we have a valuable part to play in the grand scheme of life. It's at those times, more than any others, that we feel that we matter.

What those experiences amount to is a fruitful life-a life that is filled with purpose and productivity and results! And that's the life we've been called to live in Christ Jesus. So if you're not currently experiencing these things or you are but desire to produce more fruit and obtain more results in every area of life, then read on as I share with you yet another blessing that comes as we abide in Him: the blessing of a fruitful life.

Don't Break the Flow!

In John 15:1, Jesus gives us our identity. He makes it clear that He is the Vine (the source) and we are the branches (the ones dependent upon that source). Because we are dependent upon the Vine, we must be careful to stay connected at all times and at all costs. In John 15: 2, Jesus has this to say:

"Any branch in Me that does not bear fruit [that stops bearing] He cuts away (trims off, takes away); and He cleanses and repeatedly prunes every branch that continues to bear fruit, to make it bear more and richer and more excellent fruit." (Amplified Bible)

Get this: branches that don't bear fruit are those that don't stay attached to the vine, and Christians who don't bear fruit are those who don't stay attached to Jesus. The good news, however, is that for those of us who will stay attached to Jesus and thereby bear fruit, Jesus promises to purge us or improve us so that we may continually bring forth more and more fruit that gets better every time. If you want to ensure that your life is one that meets the standard of consistently bearing fruit for God, then lay hold of the key found in John 15:4:

"Dwell in Me, and I will dwell in you. [Live in Me, and I will live in you.] Just as no branch can bear fruit of itself without abiding in (being vitally united to) the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you abide in Me.” (Amplified Bible)

The key to a fruitful life is simply to abide in God-to abide in His Word, in prayer and in ongoing fellowship with Him. The bottom line to having a fulfilling, productive, results producing life is to stay connected! The blessing of a fruitful life, and it is a blessing by the way, only comes as a result of abiding in Him. We can grasp the concept that a. branch can't produce fruit when it's been broken off from the vine and is lying on the ground somewhere. Why is this? Because the branch was never designed to do it solo or independently, instead it was created to work together with the vine to produce the desired fruit. So likewise, you as the branch were never created or designed to function and be productive cut off from your True Vine, Jesus.

Many times we're wanting certain things to happen in our lives and desiring God to do great things for us, but because we're not properly connected to Him, He can't. We limit God in these instances because we simply aren't properly connected. When we're not properly connected to God in our finances, through tithing and giving offerings, for instance, then we can't bear the fruit of financial prosperity. When we're not properly connected to God in our marriages because we're unequally yoked or disobeying God's commands, then we can't bear the fruit of a loving, fulfilling marriage. And so it goes for any other areas of our lives.

Without the proper connection, without the vital union, we can't produce fruit-we can do nothing. Remember: the branch that's broken off or detached from the vine no longer can bear fruit, so examine your life today. Examine areas that may have possibly become detached from God and His Word and then correct it so that you can continue to grow and produce more fruit to the glory of God!

Fruitful in Everything?

Did you know that it is possible to be fruitful in EVERYTHING? Well, it is! In fact, God wants us to be fruitful in everything and at all times. That was His command to the first family, Adam and Eve, (Genesis 1 :28) and His purpose hasn't changed since. In Colossians 1:10, the Word of God says that we are to be fruitful in every good work. God wants everything our hands touch to prosper. (Psalm 1:3) He wants us to be people of results.

I used to stand on this Scripture and expect manifestation whenever I would go out and soul win. I'd tell the Lord, "Now Lord, I’m expecting some fruit today. I'm not going out here wasting my time. I’m not going out here to look cute, but 1want some fruit. I want some souls.” Soul winning is a good work, isn't it? Well God wanted me to be fruitful, and guess what? I always returned having won souls into the Kingdom. Why? Because I was abiding in Him and He enabled me to bear fruit and get results. The bible says that we are co-laborers with God, so that means that God must be on the scene of whatever we're trying to do so that He can ensure that it's a success. He's our partner in success. Glory to God!

Giving God the Glory

Every true Christian wants to give God glory in the way they live their lives. In fact, to me, this is the greatest reason why one should want to bear fruit in his life.

"When you bear (produce) much fruit, My Father is honored and glorified, and you show and prove yourselves to be true followers of Mine.” John 15:8 (Amplified Bible)

When you bear fruit, you glorify God! When you bear fruit you honor God! You being defeated and broken down and fruit-less doesn't impress God, nor does it give Him glory in the face of unbelievers. But when you can abide in God and bear fruit consistently in your spiritual life, your finances, your health, your relationships, your career, etc., it gives God glory because when people see all that God has done for you they'll be inclined to get to know Him, too. You'll be amazed at how your success is used to draw people to God. People are watching you, so go ahead and give them something to see. Let them see you being the head and not the tail. Let them see you stay healthy when everyone else is sick. Let them see you continue to prosper in the midst of corporate layoffs, recessions and higher interest rates, because when they do they’ll glorify your God, too.

Chosen and Appointed

"You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you and I have appointed you [1 have planted you], that you might go and bear fruit and keep on bearing, and that your fruit may be lasting [that it may remain, abide], so that whatever you ask the Father in My Name [as presenting all that I AM], He may give it to you.” John 15:16 (Amplified Bible)

Jesus has chosen you and appointed you to go and bear fruit and to keep on bearing for as long as you live. What an awesome God we serve! So if you had any doubts before now about your ability to serve God, abide in Him and bear fruit to His glory, kick them aside because Jesus has just qualified you for the job. By the mere fact that He thought enough of you to choose you and appoint you in such a manner means that He knew that you had everything it would take to get the job done again and again. Glory to God!

So begin to stir yourself up about the blessing of living a fruitful, fulfilled, productive, meaningful, impacting life that brings glory and honor to God. It's a blessing to be on God's winning team of fruit bearers--those responsible for fulfilling God's will and bringing His glory to the earth in these last days--and-it's a blessing you'll know always as you abide in Him.

Additional Scriptures for further study and meditation:
Phil. 1:11
John 12:24
Gal. 2:20; 5:22-24