Be Fruitful

Jn. 15:8  By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

A vineyard, although it may look pretty, doesn't accomplish it's purpose if it doesn't yield or bear fruit.  As His vineyard, God purposed for our lives to bear fruit.

Disciples should be expressions of the one they follow (Lk. 6:40).  If we are Christ's disciples, then the fruit we produce should be the same as the fruit that He produced.  The love He showed and the kind of life He lived, His fruit, should be expressed in and through our lives, too.

Galatians (5:22, 23) lists the fruit of the Spirit, nine characteristics or traits which paint a wonderful portrait of the character of Christ.  He possessed and demonstrated them all.  And Acts (10:38) says Jesus went about doing good and healing all.  So, He was known for His actions as well as His character.

As Christians, therefore, we should be known for Christian character and Christian actions (Mt. 7:20), our fruit.  If we stay connected by faith to Jesus, the vine, we will be.  And the Father will be glorified. 

Got any fruit?