In Him, Out of you......Fruit

Carina Francke

Scripture: Luke 8:15

To bear fruit only once or every now and again is not an option for the believer if he abides in Christ and his Word.  No, the expectation is, "It (the seed)came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown." (Luke 8:8) and "...those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop." (Luke 8:15)

In the parable of the seed that fell in the ground (Luke 8:4-15) Jesus gives the reasons why some believers do not persevere in bearing fruit. Some people cannot bear fruit because they hear the word; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. Another group receives the word and believe for a while but because they have no root, they fall away in time of testing or temptation. Then there are those with sprouts of fruit visible, but are choked by life's worries, riches and pleasures.

How does someone look that bear fruit with perseverance? He  hears, accepts and retains the word from a receptive, noble and good heart. He does what Jesus expects from his disciples, namely to keep his commandments, thus abiding in his love and as a branch stays part of the vine. Bearing fruit is not optional. Jesus is quite clear on this,  "I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should remain." (John 15:16). But keep in mind that bearing fruit is not to make you look good but to glorify God.

The key for bearing ripe and continuous fruit is perseverance.  When people or life throws us a curve ball we struggle to hold on to the promises in the Word.  We question God and his ability to help us and if He lingers a little too long to our liking, we merely throw in the towel. Even in good times we should take care that our fruit shrivels because it's usually then we tend to think that our abilities brought us success. Perseverance needs patience and faith that despite circumstances, God IS and He CAN.  Perseverance says that I will bear fruit in prosperous and trying times.

Prayer: Lord help me to bear fruit that glorifies you in the good and bad seasons of my life. Amen