Appointed To Bear Fruit: A 90 Day JourneyНамуна

Dead Branches

When I moved into a house that I recently rented, there was a mango tree in the backyard. Unfortunately, the owner informed me that the tree had never born fruit. I shared that information with the man who was cutting my grass. He told me, “I can make it so the tree bears fruit next year.” And because I love to eat mangos, I enthusiastically told him to do whatever he thought was necessary. It wasn’t long until I heard the cutting of branches as there were lopped off the tree. Later that afternoon, I went outside to see what he did. What I saw shocked me. The tree, which was previously lush and provided shade to the house, was now barren. Incredible. He cut most the branches off. There was little left apart from the tree trunk. Although I wanted to be angry, I kept my emotions under control. And you know what? The following year there were many mangos growing on that tree. This gardener knew how to prune a tree so that it would bear much fruit.

Our Heavenly Father knows even more about how to prune, so that much fruit grows in our lives. He knows what must be stripped away so our lives will bear the fruit that He desires. The Father sees every branch—each of us—and works in our lives so that His purpose is accomplished. But, the pruning process can be painful. It may mean standing in front of others to confess your sins, or being willing to give up something that’s your right to have. Or you may need to bear the wrongs of others. If we’re willing, the pruning process will go forward. It’s my desire to not only bear fruit, but much fruit. 

Remember, the Lord desires fruit and not just leaves. It’s easy to be impressed by branches full of large green leaves, but God sees it differently. Don’t be deceived by hypocrites that seem so spiritual yet in the end are not only not pruned, but are severed from the vine altogether. The leaves of religious works can quickly lead to pride. When you examine your life, don’t be impressed by external, religious evidences that are not reflective of an internal, spiritual reality. Even if their lives seem to be blessed by God, don’t be deceived. Not all blessings are from God. In the Kingdom of God, branches with lots of leaves are often cut off, and branches that don’t appear so lush, are the ones that often produce the most fruit. 

In the same way that the Son humbled Himself to the Father, so we too must humble ourselves so that we bear more fruit. Denying ourselves means sacrificing our leaves so that God’s purpose is achieved—to bear much fruit. Many who are proud may continue to nurture their leaves, because they know that if their leaves fall away, their true selves will be evident to all: that, in reality, they aren’t bearing any fruit. Those who abide in Christ are not afraid to be seen as lowly (without leaves), because they want the fruit to be seen and thereby bring glory to Christ. May the Lord prune all the leaves in your life, so you know that you have true faith. 

If we want to bear fruit, we must abide in the vine. Sometimes we think when we proclaim the gospel to someone and invite them to receive Christ, we have done enough. We think that we have brought another soul into the kingdom. But Jesus teaches us that we have only just begun the work. It’s His desire that every believer continually abides in the vine. It’s not enough for sinners to only pray to receive Christ. They must bear fruit. Those who don’t bear fruit are not in Christ. Faith is more than a verbal confession. Remember, external confessions can’t save you; there must be an internal reality that is reflected by that confession—a changed life! 

Application:  Are you bearing fruit?