Bearing Much Fruit…
“Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.” John 15:8
And on the night of the Last Supper, Christ gave a discourse on His disciples need to faithfully abide in Him; it appeared to be somewhat of a sad but farewell sermon, but it was a wonderful promise of His abiding love. “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.” John 15:4.
Several things were about to occur, they would be tempted by the enemy to forsake Christ, one another, and to return to the ill-will and hatred of the world; but He reminded them as He does us that He is the true vine, the pure Word of God in John 15:1-4 state “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.”
What type of fruit are you bringing forth today….the command for every born-again believer to bear fruit is still just as imperative to our existence as it was for the disciples that night. The analogy that Christ used that He is the vine, gives the picture of a vine that grows on a wall, it has innumerous branches, we are those branches and cannot survive without the nourishment of the vine; the Father is the husbandman, He knows His garden an what it needs to be fruitful, He tends it, prunes it, takes away those things that will prohibit growth and gives the increase . . . “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23.
My friends, all that we need to living a fruitful life is given by the power of the Holy Spirit, I am reminded of Zechariah 4:6 that states: “Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.”
It is imperative that we understand that in our own power we can do nothing…when we trust in our own resources, limited knowledge, etc. we miss out on the full anointing and everlasting supply from the Holy Spirit. He shall supply all that we need!
The Holy Spirit is often symbolized as oil . . . one writer stated it like this:
· Oil lubricates when used for that purpose – there is little friction and wear among those who are lubricated by the Spirit of God.
· Oil heals and was used as a medicinal treatment in biblical times– the Spirit of God brings healing and restoration.
· Oil lights when it is burned in a lamp – where the Spirit of God is there is light.
· Oil warms when it is used as fuel for a flame – where the Spirit of God is there is warmth and comfort.
· Oil invigorates when used to massage – the Holy Spirit invigorates us for His service.
· Oil adorns when applied as a perfume – the Holy Spirit adorns us and makes us more pleasant to be around.
· Oil polishes when used to shine metal – the Holy Spirit wipes away our grime, smoothing out our rough edges.
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My prayer is that the anointing and continuous filling of the Holy Spirit rain down on all of His beloved children… growing us in wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. May we rest in the promise that He abides in us, and we in Him; and just watch how He miraculously allows His peace, love, joy, comfort, and amazing grace to shine in and though us that we will bear much fruit for His glory! “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.” John 15:8.
God blessings of love be with you always!