This is our third part of a series on growing as a disciple in the marketplace. If you have not yet read the previous articles, here is part one, Abide in the Word and grow as a disciple.
In part two we saw what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. We will now explore another signifier of discipleship, which is bearing fruit but first, we need to look at what the bible says about fruit.
Colossians speaks about bearing fruit in every good work as we walk in a manner worthy of the Lord as we increase in the knowledge of him. Our life should be one that bears fruit and grows in our knowledge of Him. The Lord is pleased by this.
so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;
Colossians 1:10
We also see the same in John;
By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.
John 15:8
The Old Testament also speaks about bearing fruit. In Psalm 1:1-4 we see the depiction of a man who is increasing in knowledge of the Lord by delighting in the word of God, as a result he is blessed and good fruit is being produced. For example, in Psalms
The Way of the Righteous and the Wicked
Psalm 1:1-4
1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers;2, but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.4 The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.
In part 2 we also saw a connection with the word of God and love
Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him
John 14:23
So, what do we think fruit is?
Galatians 5 explains this clearly for us in the following way,“ 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23)
Why do we produce fruit?
We can find the answer to this in Ephesians 4:12, which explains that the bearing of fruit is needed,” 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.”
I Am the True Vine
In the third part of the series we will look at John 15:1-17 where Jesus speaks about abiding in the vine and fruit bearing.
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine dresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you.
John 15:1-3
Jesus publicly taught about Israel being like a vineyard in the Parable of the Vineyard (Matthew 21:33-44). Now Jesus speaks to his disciples, possibly in the Kidron valley, having left the upper room and seeing a large golden vine as a decoration on the front of the temple.
Using emblems the disciples would understand Jesus introduces the following main characters; He(the Messiah) is the vine, His Father is the vine dresser, Israel is the vineyard.This is Jesus’ last I am statement, I am the true vine. Jesus is the Messiah that the nation of Israel had rejected, for this reason, Israel never produced the fruit that God wanted.
The vine cannot produce fruit unless someone cares for the branches. The Father watches out for the branches and Jesus identifies the apostles as the branches in v5, and then identifies that anyone who abides in the vine to include those who believe. The vine and branch picture demonstrate complete dependence and the need for constant connection. Jesus knew he was about to depart from His disciples,as an encouragement to them,He reminded them that He would remain united to them and they to Him as branches are to the main vine.
Who are the Branches ?
2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.
John 15:2-3
Verse 2 of the passages requires a closer look. Here, Jesus is talking to the 11 disciples after the departure of Judas. Verse 3 clearly states that they are clean because of the words He has spoken to them.
John uses the words ‘every branch’ 16 times in his gospel, and each time it refers to believers. So the branches not bearing fruit are believers who are not in Him.
The fruit that Jesus is talking about is evidence to others of a life committed to Christ, and Jesus gives the secret of how to bear fruit.
The fruit can be evangelism, prayer life, bible study, dealing with finances, gifts of the spirit and much more. In the natural world some branches bear fruit, some do not, fruit bearing is not automatic, Jesus then goes on to emphasise how intimacy with God bears fruit.
Consequences of not bearing fruit
Furthermore, verse 2 explains what happens to someone not producing fruit, the verse says that the father takes away. One of the understandings of this verse is that there is a loss of salvation, but this is not the correct understanding or meaning of the verse. We need to investigate the cultural background ;in particular the agricultural methods and practices used during this time, Jesus uses many cultural references and examples to clarify his message.
There were two distinct actions taken in caring for a vineyard, one in the spring and one in the autumn. Here Jesus is speaking about the spring, the Greek for take away means lifts up. For some branches to produce fruit they had to be lifted up off the ground to stop them putting down secondary roots which prevents fruit growth.
From this we can see that the Father is giving special support to the unproductive branches. By lifting them up, it allows the air to dry them, so as to avoid them from becoming mouldy or diseased. Lifting up the branches provides them with more sun hence they produce more fruit.
How can we apply this to ourselves? For us, this means altering our circumstances to allow us to be fruitful. Lifting up can also mean purifying or cleansing. We will see in Verse 6 that if this is not successful, more severe treatment is required.
A vine left to itself will have unproductive growth, it requires more attention to allow it to yield fruit. We need the word of God to prune us, to identify sinful habits and provide divine discipline. God shows his love for us in doing this (Hebrews 12 :8), to continue to mature us.
The secret to bearing fruit
4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, it is he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me, you can do nothing.
John 15:4-5
As Jesus continues to speak to the disciples, he is going to reveal the secret of fruit bearing. The disciples are believers, so he is talking about their growth and intimacy with him.
The word abide in verse 4 is the same as in John 8:31 meaning growing in intimacy with Christ, the Greek meaning of abide is in the imperative, not a suggestion but a command to abide. We have a choice. Continuing to abide allows us to protect our minds and strengthen ourselves with the word of God. This influences how we communicate with God and guides our daily conduct by keeping us accountable.
The branch needs to be connected in order to bear fruit; it has to be a healthy relationship. If this is the situation then the production of fruit is a natural process, the outcome of abiding. Jesus never says produce fruit, a branch cannot produce fruit on its own, it has to be part of the vine. Our focus just has to be Jesus, communicating with Him, and not worrying about producing fruit in our own strength. The grape does nothing, it is simply connected to the vine (Jesus) receiving healthy nutrition from the vine and the fruit is produced.
God wants us to produce much fruit on the condition we abide. If we want to have eternal fruit it has to come from abiding in Jesus, the fruit will then take care of itself. Our purpose for bearing fruit is linked to others, God wants his disciples (us) to manifest fruit in order to bless others.