FRUITFULNESS OR FRUITLESS
FRUITFUL OR FRUITLESS
The staff belonging to the man I choose will sprout, and I will rid Myself of the constant grumbling of the Israelites against you. —Numbers 17:5
The Lord causes fruitfulness through the ones He has chosen. In the context of the verse above it was Aaron’s staff of Levi that was chosen. The staff “had sprouted, put forth buds, blossomed, and produced almonds!” The fruitfulness gave evidence that the Lord had chosen to work through Aaron.
So today it is. Fruitfulness is the evidence that the Lord has chosen someone to work through. Jesus mentioned this in John 15:1-8.
I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 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 am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
What is the fruit of your life and my life? “Fruit that remains” is the indicator that a person has truly trusted Jesus and is following Him. It isn’t just words saying one believes— “As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead” (James 2:26). Anybody can speak volumes of words saying they have faith, but they are meaningless without loving action and application that bears fruit. A fruitless life is a faithless life regardless of how much a person says they believe as mentioned in Matthew 7:21-23.
Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
They said to Him, “Lord, Lord” but they were actually “evildoers.” Saying something with the mouth while even doing “religious” things does not mean a person has a relationship with Jesus. Holy Spirit borne fruit through a person’s life that remains is what gives the evidence.
So, what am I leaving behind me as I “run the race marked out for me, keeping my eyes fixed on Jesus the author and finisher of my faith?” Is there fruit that remains or destruction? That will give evidence as to where a person is really at with their relationship with the Lord and “Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God” (I Corinthians 4:5). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVXxjtP6Hj4
Dear Father may You be glorified in my life by bearing much fruit. May it be so in the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Jesus.