I have been pondering what it really means to Abide in the Lord lately. John 15 is a humbling and encouraging passage.
John 15:5
"I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing."
I could talk a lot about what it means to abide and all that is wrapped up in that, but recently God showed me a neat picture of what the outcome of of
Abiding looks like... the fruit part.
I was thinking about what it meant to produce good fruit.
Galatians 5:22-23 talks about what the fruits of the spirit are (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control)... however, I was also thinking about fruit literally.
A tree, that is properly watered, with good solid roots is going to produce healthy fruits. Not only is the fruit a sign of a healthy tree, but the fruit has a purpose.
- To provide nourishment to those who would partake of it
- To plant seeds so that other trees can grow
How cool is that, when you look at how your life should be in accordance with the Word of God!
A healthy Christian life, that is Abiding in Jesus, should produce fruit that blesses others but also plants seeds and is part of nourishing new believers!
Jesus talking:
"My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love."
John 15:8-9
