So if you see a fig tree with its leaves, one can assume its figs have already grown. Tozer, Charles Spurgeon, Major Ian Thomas, Oswald Chambers, Hudson Taylor, Amy Carmichael, Corrie Ten Boom, C.T. Just like a plant doesnt grow overnight but instead endures different seasons before flourishing into maturity, developing spiritual fruit isnt an instant process either. Billy Grahams Answer, Will Graham Devotion: The Criminal on the Cross, Will We Grieve for Lost Loved Ones in Heaven? Sign 1: Love One of the first Bible verses we learn as children is " God is love " ( 1 John 4:8 ). True peace comes from knowing God is in control. Glen, you nor I would have ever chosen Jesus, had he not revealed to us the glory of the Father. But, bettering your life is about living intentionally and purposefully. However, we may look at goodness as the fruit that encompasses moral goodness and integrity. You made the choice to love him or her, just as God loves you. Kindly join in and be blessed. Lets Squeeze Out Some Answers! Remember that it is a lifelong journey, and that every step you take towards God will bring you closer to bearing fruit. And therefore his glory is at stake in the fruitfulness of your ministry. Just like a plant needs good soil to grow and thrive, we also need to find the right environment to cultivate our faith. The process was practically frozen in 2018, cementing a kind of frenemy status between . Your email address will not be published. You will not let your chosen one be ruined. As a Christian, bearing fruit is an important aspect of your faith. 1. those who bear . 3. But if fruit is to come from our lives, we must ask what kind of fruit is it and how are we going to produce it. Then the kingdom of God will be taken away. In John 1:37 Andrew follows Jesus without even being asked, and he goes to get Peter and brings him to Jesus (1:41). Permissions The moment we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we received the Holy Spirit and now the Holy Spirit lives in every Christian. You are not impulsive. Stay close to God and Christ. Their commitment inspired me to delve deeper into my own relationship with Christ while also showing me how to love others better. If you have enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe on your favorite app by searching for Deeper Christian Podcast or clicking the button below. He did not drag them into his service kicking and screaming. In order to bear fruit as a Christian, it is important not only to attend church and follow biblical teachings but also to make time to read the Bible daily. Theres a quote that resonates with me every time I experience times of adversity. Do you prefer a formal liturgy or more casual atmosphere? One strategy for combating negative thoughts is through prayer and meditation. (Watch in English) Four voice actors' experiences can help us explore why God calls Christians to pursue fruitful lives and help others discover their place in God's redemptive story. This would refer, then, to the fruitfulness of winning others to Christ, who are then guarded by God's power for salvation. In the Old Testament it can refer to one's children which are born of a family. True, if you are at peace, you are calm. But not only that, his father is glorified when you bear much fruit. A good example of someone exercising self-control is athletes. Without this pruning, without the old being cut away and room made for new growth, we cannot produce more fruit. It may mean offering to pray for someone who is hurting, inviting a coworker or neighbor to church, or even just striking up a conversation about spiritual things. They are small and worthless. It is through reading Gods word that we can grow our faith, gain wisdom, and develop a deeper understanding of His plan for our lives. God has made His standard of morality known in the teachings of the Bible that man would know and walk therein to produce good deeds such as hospitality, peace, etc. Thus, we have many biblical food illustrations. Your confidence is not in man, nor in materialism, nor in riches, etc. Jesus said, "If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from . If the fruit is the out-cropping of the love of Christ in our lives for the nourishment and refreshment of others, then surely among the benefits received from that fruit would be conversion. He that is humble ever shall The you-and-God relationship exists because you have faith in Christ, adhere to His teachings, and acknowledge Him as your Lord and Savior. Seeks God's wisdom James 3:17 3. Here again those who serve do so willingly. John Piper is founder and teacher of desiringGod.org and chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary. There are many ways Christians can be fruitful. The secret to "fruitfulness" is to "walk by the Spirit". DECISIONS THAT PRODUCE SPIRITUAL FRUIT. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. How can I ensure that I am bearing fruit in my Christian walk? We will live out Romans 8:28, And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.. We become able to navigate difficult situations with grace and discernment while also aligning ourselves closer with His purpose for us. Forgiveness can be difficult, especially when the offense seems unforgivable. When many people speak of love, they are speaking of an emotion or a feeling. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". But if we are where we belong, there has been a call from the Lord preceding, equipping, inspiring, and finally enabling our choice of the ministry. Lastly, recognizing areas where we need improvement and actively working towards personal growth is key. John Piper Scripture: John 15:16 Topic: Pastoral Ministry Subscribe Apple Spotify You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit. 2023 BGEA Will I Still Be Married to My Spouse in Heaven? It is easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of everyday life and forget about these virtues. In John 15:4, Jesus says, Abide in me, and I in you. Was Cesare Borgia Jesus? In conclusion, if you want to bear good fruit as a Christian then its crucial to surround yourself with like-minded people who uphold godly values and principles. Matthew 5:5 says Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. God must think meekness is really important to state that the inheritance of the meek is the earth. This ministry is maintained by the Lord through the stewardship of those who value it. I didn't stake anything on your success." Reading the Bible gives us knowledge of Gods word, which can guide our actions throughout the day. The same thing can be said for Christians trying to bear fruit without getting enough spiritual sunlight. 10 Classic Movies Every Christian Teen Should Watch, Biblical Truths about Sexual Orientation and Gender, 20 Reasons Marriages Fail (Christian Marriages, Too), Why to Make Having Fun Part of Your Ministry, Movieguide Warns Parents: 'Don't Take Your Daughter to See Barbie', This site is a proud member of the Salem Web Network, a subsidiary of, Copyright 2023, Crosswalk.com. Second, how shall we accomplish it? He said, "All things have been delivered to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him" (Matthew 11:27). It is one of only very few extra-biblical quotes that does so! It involves being intentional about your actions and attitudes, and seeking to align them with the teachings of Christ. When God is silent, He never stays that way. We seek to do things outwardly that demonstrate that we have been made new in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). You put your own feelings or choices aside to put another person first. ~ John Bunyan. Joy DOES come in the morning! and is the author of over a thousand magazine articles and 19 books including the new Quick Guides for Personalities. My campus ministry was filled with passionate young believers who genuinely cared about each others spiritual growth. By so doing, He has established a very strong bond with you. "Fruit for eternal life" in John 4:36 probably corresponds to fruit that abides in John 15:16, which says, "I appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should abide." This weekly audio program, hosted by NRJohnson, dives into Scripture and encourages Christians to keep their focus upon Jesus Christequipping believers in how to study the Bible and know Gods Word, grow in their spiritual lives, and change the world. Plant Yourself in Good Soil 1.1. God wants our lives to reflect Him, not the things of this world. Wouldn't it mean, "I'm not bound to you. Therefore, abiding in his love means constantly receiving as from his loving hand all things as are good for me. By building relationships, sharing our testimonies, stepping out of our comfort zones, and trusting in Gods plan, we can impact the lives of those around us for eternity. Impurity in the Bible The Healings of Jesus, Rebelliousness in the Bible Saul vs David. Then a friend reminded me how important it is to spend time in the Word and fellowship with other believers. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Kindness is important to live in this world as you build relationships. The honor of Christ is at stake in whether you, whom he chose, bear fruit. What is meant by being a fruitful Christian? Through acts of service, we show Gods love to others and allow the Holy Spirit to work in us. So having the word of God alone is not enough to secure your bearing fruit. It involves spending time in prayer, reading and studying the Bible, attending church, and participating in a community of believers. As the saying goes, you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with. If we surround ourselves with negativity and toxicity, it will eventually seep into our own lives. Finally and briefly, the end for which you seek to bear fruit is not just your own joy (v. 11) or the benefit of your people: it is that God the Father might be glorified. This is because I felt so strongly in my heart and my mind that God disapproves of my decision and that I should repent from it. He who reaps receives wages and gathers fruit for eternal life so that sower and reaper may rejoice together." It almost becomes automatic that when your relationship with God is so strong, you do not struggle with sin, nor struggle to obey God; hence you do not struggle to bear fruit such as kindness, love, gentleness, etc. Listen to article 1x 1.2x 1.5x. In what way is love a fruit of the Holy Spirit? By spending regular time communicating with God through prayer, we invite Him into every aspect of our life which helps strengthen our faith and aids in bearing fruit. In conclusion, to bear fruit as a disciple of Christ is for the old self to die and for us to adorn the new self. The difficulty with podcasts is that they are one-sidedso each week I ask one question for you to participate in the conversation. The word faithfulness means trusting in something. While , Spread the lovePharaoh is one of the most infamous figures in the history of Israel, known for oppressing and enslaving the Jewish people. Another word for patience some translations use is longsuffering, which means slow to anger or not easily provoked. Through their example and support from one another, we can grow in our faith and become the person God created us to be. And that is the aim of all your ministry. Obviously, we dont walk around sprouting fruit from our appendages. Lets examine some of the traits of a fruitful disciple. " ( John 15:1-2) A vine is planted solely for the sake of its fruit. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. I am sure, as a general rule, most of us could do without winter! Turn it around. And if you do these things, you will bear much fruit. Home Sometimes He needs to prune us to cut out the old parts of our lives that keep us from growing closer to Him and bearing fruit. And it stands to reason, then, that what we receive from the vine flows through the branch and crops out in the fruit of love, for the nourishment and refreshment of other people. They work hard to bring their bodies under certain parameters even though it may mean, hard work, sacrifice, and hours devoted to doing what a coach tells them to. But what is faithfulness as a fruit of the Spirit? Just like plants need sun for photosynthesis, we need the Son of God for spiritual growth. The question then becomes: how do I bear fruit as a Christian? First, what is fruit-bearing? The Holy Spirit longs for the opportunity to display the fruit of patience to the world through Christians. Jesus and the Torah What is the Meaning of Torah and Did Jesus Do Away With It? God's desire is to transform us into the image of Christ ( Romans 8:29) and make us as fruitful as He was. This means that forgiveness is not a one-time event but rather an ongoing process of extending mercy towards those who hurt us. My favorite quote of his that is very powerful (on humility) : God never leaves you where you are! These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. The impact of surrounding yourself with positive people cannot be overstated. Did Jesus Have A Tattoo? Prayer and worship are such vital components of bearing fruit. John 15:8, Jesus tells us, My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be my disciples. When we are followers of Jesus Christ, it is important for us to have proof of this faith. It could be that we feel God wants us to move in a situation but we havent yet gotten the guidance we are waiting for. Unless your life reflects the goodness of God, you may be seen as unkind, bad, unloving, or other negative behaviors, even very selfish. 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. Most people in the world have no experience of lasting joy in their lives. Believing that and acting on it is what it means to abide in the love of Christ. All of our resources exist to guide you toward everlasting joy in Jesus Christ. It takes patience, prayer, and sometimes even trial and error. This involves sharing the Gospel with those around you, even if they are strangers. A popular description of God's. For 33 years, he served as pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Pruning isnt going to be pleasant most of the time. Learn how your comment data is processed. Prayer-life (James 5:18) 4. And if we ask what is it in this context that Jesus means by "commandments," the answer again is love. One such topic is the potential connection between Cesare , Spread the loveFor centuries, people have been fascinated by the life of Jesus Christ. This quote really taught me that instead of focusing on TRYING (often in my own power) to produce fruit in the difficult times, God can use these trials to develop that fruit in me. We can also bear fruit by sharing our personal testimony how we came to know Jesus as Savior and Lord, how He transformed our lives, and how we continue to grow in our relationship with Him. In the context of John 15, fruit refers to good works. Practically, abiding in Christ means: The Holy Spirit is also called the Spirit of Christ in verses such as Philippians 1:19, Romans 8:9, and 1 Peter 1:11. Copyright by The Lockman Foundation, Wow thank you Diane for this excellent post, which I am convinced God brought me to it in answering my prayer His ways always amazes me still His choice was a recreating, resurrecting, life-giving choice when he called you by name and you were born again and made a child of God. For many that is one of the hardest to let go and let grow. The Word will not abide within us if we are in a hurry. Shocking Truth Revealed! The dark and the cold never last forever! James 1:2 says, Count it all joy. All is the keywordthe good and the bad. To bear fruit as Christians means that these attributes should be evident in all aspects of our daily lives. God prunes us and cuts away the deadness so that new fruit can form! We often allow our minds to be consumed by worry, fear, and doubt, which can prevent us from living out our faith in a meaningful way. Therefore, be encouraged, Glen, be very bold in your work, for Christ is for you, and his very honor is at stake in your success. The fruit of the Spirit is the fruit of God's work in our lives when we are obedient to the Holy Spirit, not the fruit of our own strength, and produces " all joy and peace" (Romans 15:13), " all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering." (Ephesians 4:2) "For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth." Bearing fruit as a child of God doesnt mean that your life is perfect all the time! 30 Morning Prayers to Start Each Day with God, 7 Soundtracks for Every Feeling in the Christian Life, Friendship with the Holy Spirit - First15 - July 12. Abide in Jesus So You Can Bear Good Fruit. Spring comes! The answer lies in pruning, or cutting away the dead branches that hinder our growth. Just like our night does not last, our winter is never forever. If you have ever wondered why you suffer losses-a job, a come, a business, a marriage, etc.-take a deeper look into the verse above. When we go through trials and suffering it often brings out those areas of our lives we tend to run to and rely on instead of God. How to bear fruit as a Christian? Jesus will not lightly let his wisdom be scorned. And even though we may not think of ourselves as fruit, we need to realize the fruit is the sweet result of our planting, the part that others will recognize. So the point is not even that Jesus made the first contact. Lets Squeeze Out Some Answers! Filed Under: Deeper Christian Podcast, Podcasts. You are not shortsighted. Too often we try to rely solely on our own strength when pursuing success or happiness. God so required it of us. What is Fruit? "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. If we are truly a follower of Christ, we must bear these fruits. "Bearing fruit" is a phrase used to describe the outward actions that result from the inward condition of a person's heart. 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. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. It is a heart transformation, where all of our worldly ways and . These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. 4:8). What could possibly be wrong with a professing Christian who is not bearing fruit? The seeds of our fruit as a Christian are being planted throughout our lives. Examples: In Ephesians 4:32, it is written: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christs sake hath forgiven you. If a Christian comes across this teaching and lives by it, he will bear the fruit of forgiveness. He wills to display it and magnify it. Article Images Copyright , $12.50 to Combat Holocaust Survivors' Hunger, 9 Biblical Signs of a Christian Bearing Fruit. God is indeed good all the time. Therefore, Glen and Ruth, every day of your life and throughout all your ministry you can pray with tremendous confidence: Have mercy upon us, O God, and help us, Lord Jesus, lest your name be dishonored and your glory diminished. Bearing fruit as a Christian means producing results that are consistent with the teachings of Christ. Local: 704-401-2432 Have you ever tried planting a garden in a shady area? If you enjoyed the show, please take 30 seconds and rate it on Apple Podcasts and write a brief review. But Jesus said the opposite: "You did not choose me, but I chose you." Unless a believer practices self-control, he or she will be seen as selfish, pushy, overassertive, and insensitive to the needs of others. On the other hand, if we choose to associate with those who radiate positivity and live out their faith daily, it can transform us for the better. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me" ( John 15:4 ). 2. He had every reason to believe it also possessed the fruit. Once the holidays are past, we just want to get on with Spring dont we? Spending time in reflection and asking for guidance can bring about perspective shifts and help us find ways in which we can live out our faith more fully. Your choice was all response and trust in his commitment to you. He is just preparing you for your spring, for your morning! Here, the word abide doesnt merely mean to hang around or wait. In fact, we can never overcome our sins and develop godly character without the help of the Holy Spirit. More so, the Holy Spirit strengthens our willpower such that we are more inclined to choose to do good than evil. But some would say: "If there is just a little thinking on the Word and on what is good, wouldn't there be a little fruit? Blessings!! Self-control means you release your own ideas and feelings even when you think they are better than others. Linda recently releasedArticles, Articles, Articles! We pastors deceive ourselves when we are so busy doing good things that we snatch a text and a prayer on the run and think that we will be mighty men of God and bear spiritual fruit. As a Christian, bearing fruit involves not only our outward actions but also the condition of our hearts. This silent season is a time where God is teaching us to lean more on Him and not try to do things on our own. Camilla Klein is a 34-year-old woman who runs the blog "Christian Educators Academy." And this is where we come to his command to abide: "Abide in me, and I in you. By staying connected to Christ and his teachings, we can seek guidance and strength during times of difficulty. Without that winter period, that time we look at as dreary and dark and cold, they would not produce the beautiful fruit we love so much in spring and summer! Do Muslims believe in Jesus? Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone, but if it dies, it bears much fruit" (John 12:23, 24). To bear fruit simply means to grow in character to become more like Christ and reflect the fruit of the Spirit ( Galatians 5:22-23 ). It may involve seeking the help of a spiritual mentor or counselor, identifying areas of sin or weakness in your life, and taking practical steps to overcome them. Surround Yourself With Positive People We must be willing to let go of anything that hinders our spiritual growth, whether it be bad habits or toxic relationships. And even when I am going wayward, His strong presence in my life will prompt me and help me to keep to the path of righteousness. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. I remember struggling with my faith when I was younger, feeling like something was missing. It bears the connotation of endurance, and a sense of expectancy. We have chosen the ministry. It could be people who cause us to go back to our old ways when we are around them. It's not literally true. We dont have control over how others behave towards us but remember this: It takes humility and strength to cut ties with someone whose influence leaves us feeling empty instead of refreshed. It is so sad that there are a lot of Christians who are living in habitual sins day in, day out, and yet they do not seem to have any compunction, nor care to stop. This opens the door for you to share Jesus love with them. He that is low, no pride; Bearing fruit as a child of God doesn't mean that your life is perfect all the time! "You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you." Your choices have the weight of eternity in them. What if Jesus had said, "I did not choose you; you chose me?" In John 15:1-2, Jesus says, I am the vine; you are the branches. Subscribe to the CompellingTruth.org Newsletter: What is meant by bearing fruit? In the parable we learned that the good ground could not bear fruit on its own; but being a good ground, when it received the seed, it cultivated into maturity and bore fruit by it. by obeying the word of God. Bearing fruit is indispensable in a Christian's life. Therefore bearing fruit is doing good works by obeying the word of God. 5. As your children get older the concept of kindness expands to include being kind even to those who are not kind to you. Let's take love first. Without the joy of Jesus, we find it difficult to be joyful in every situation. Abide in my love." All rights reserved. Do Muslims Believe In Jesus? By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. A developing Christian character is fruit. And verse 17: "These things I command you, that you love one another." But in times of adversity? Have you felt like giving up or not knowing where to turn? All rights reserved. to the glory of God. What are some practical ways to bear fruit in my daily life? They had chosen to follow Jesus. Pray for guidance if needed since Almighty God never fails nor forsake anyone who calls upon His name according to Psalm 145:18-20 Ultimately, remember that bearing fruit requires cultivation it doesnt happen overnight or without effort. Your relationship with God is maintained and strengthened the more and more you engage yourself in the things of God especially daily Bible study, daily prayer, attending church service, fasting, etc. For more detailed information, please visit ourAffiliate Disclaimerpage, 2023 Worth Beyond Rubies - Ferreira Enterprises, LLC, Pruning in the Bible Shows His Love For Us, John Bunyan, known most notably for his book , We are tired of snow and ice and having to shovel driveways or deal with, Therefore wedo not lose heart, but though our outer person is decaying, yet ourinner, In winter, it appears that the life around us (the trees, the grass, the flowers) are wasting away, yet inwardly they are being, Sometimes He needs to prune us to cut out the, The same way a gardener carefully prunes a tree or a plant with hopeful expectation of what will soon grow in its place, we can have that same hope for what, In the Bible, Jesus cursed the fig tree, not because it didnt have figs. God loves us; thus, the seed is planted. 1. Have you ever had a wayward child? In other words, the word of God and your relationship with God are what it takes to endure in bearing fruit for life. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I wont go too much into his life and his accomplishments here, but he is definitely worth reading up on! The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Doesnt that just make you want to scream? No believer wants to scream as a response to the behavior of others unless he or she is not filled with the Holy Spirit and the love of God. Then that beautiful fruit can spring forth in our lives for His glory and we can thrive when our winter is over and springtime is here! Holy, powerful, life-changing spiritual men of God are not made on the run. Why did he say, "You did not choose me"? California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. If your joy fruit is based on lifes circumstances, what happens when things arent going your way? As I wrote. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine.

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