Biblical Success - Running Our Race - the "D" Vine StrategySample

The Word talks a lot about “fruit.” The word is used at least 60 times in the New Testament alone. In our study, we have seen that our job description as disciples and followers of Jesus is to bear or to produce fruit that will last and that when we do, our Father in heaven is glorified. John 15:8 says, “By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit so you will be my disciples.” Bearing or producing fruit is a huge deal if it means giving or bringing glory to our Father.

For our conversation today, let’s look at two different uses of the word “fruit” and then bring them together in the context of our study. They each relate to “abiding” in Jesus.

First is the definition of the “product” of abiding. In this context, my favorite definition of fruit is “lives turned towards God.” The result of our abiding as disciples will be others’ lives turned toward God as we follow His Spirit in our lives and we touch theirs. As a result of our contact, they will have a more positive attitude toward or about God and the Kingdom of God. Our contact may be of any sort at all, brief or sustained, in person or otherwise, oral or digital. Still, the result will be that the person will be moved forward in their understanding of God and relationship with Him even in the tiniest bit.

Some who don’t know God will be saved, some already know Him will be encouraged or strengthened to grow in their faith, and some will just be fed or clothed or visited in prison. Because of our love for God, they will be touched by the love that He has poured into us. It will just spill over on them. Everywhere Jesus went, eternal fruit was produced by the bushel by what He said or what He did or both in at least one of those three ways.

The second definition comes in Galatians 5:22 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, against which there is no law.” A sure and progressive fruit of our abiding with Jesus will be the increased flow of God’s Spirit and His fruit through us to others. We can’t possibly grow closer and more intimate with Jesus and not be taught, motivated, and moved to be more and more, even conformed to be like Him. Romans 12:2 exhorts us “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may prove what is that good and acceptable will of God.” Our Father’s love is winsome, and it is His will that we Christ-followers share.

So the bottom line is Jesus calls us to abide with Him, and as we do, we are conformed to His image, and as that happens, the fruit of His Spirit flows through us and touches others over time. It is a process, not a project. It will be critical to the end definition of our life on earth that we get into the flow of abiding, resist the temptation to follow the world, and run through the tape at the end of the race set before us. That’s the “why” of our lives in Christ. Yes, we are saved by grace through faith and not by works, but we are saved to do good works that God prepared us to do long, long ago. What a privilege it is to be a part of Father’s plan.

What are your thoughts?