How Will You Respond to This?

May I ask directly if what you're doing is bearing fruit? I know that was very direct, but sometimes it needs to be or can be. Direct questions help us see what we indirectly avoid! That's why it's important to occasionally question and reflect on ourselves: "Does what I'm doing really make sense? Does it bear the fruit that the Bible talks about in John 15?"

"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." (John 15:5 NIV)

In this Bible verse, Jesus metaphorically speaks of Himself as the vine and His followers as the branches. The image of the vine and branches symbolizes the close relationship that Christians should have with Jesus — and it is possible.

"If you remain in Jesus and He in you, you will bear much fruit." So, this fruit refers to the results of a life lived in close communion with Jesus.

We often associate this fruit with what results from our work: If our work bears fruit, then we are blessed. Okay, that's certainly true, but that's not really the point of this verse.

God is never concerned with our performance for Him but with our relationship with Him.

The fruit spoken of here manifests in completely different aspects of our lives, such as:

• growing in love for God and others (see Matthew 22:37-39 NIV)
• doing good works (see Ephesians 2:10 NIV)
• overcoming sin (see Romans 6:11 NIV)
• spreading the Gospel (see Matthew 28:19-20 NIV)

In other words, when we cling closely to Jesus and entrust Him with our lives, He will empower us with His strength to lead a fulfilling and meaningful life and we will bear much fruit.

And suddenly, my initial question, "Is what you're doing bearing fruit?" means something entirely different.

How will you respond to that?

You are a miracle!

Déborah