June 2001
"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. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I
in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If
a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men
gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in
me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will and it shall be done
unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be
my
disciples." (John 15:1-8)
Are You Barren or Bearing?
On one occasion Jesus told a parable about a fruitless fig tree (Luke 13:6-9).
According to the story, the owner of the fig tree had every right to expect
fruit, and was justly disappointed when there was none. For three years, he came
seeking fruit and for three years he found none. So, we can presuppose that the
tree must have looked and acted as if it was a normal tree, but it had no fruit.
The owner told his servants to cut it down because it was not bearing any fruit.
What does this have to do with us today?
Are you barren or bearing? This is a rhetorical question, but I believe a very
germane one. This is also an intimate question, for it intrudes into our
personal affairs. For it asks not about them or they, him or her, but it asks
about you. The question requires some self-examination, reflection and
introspection. Every believer, at some point in their spiritual journey, must
confront this question. What is your answer to this very important and pressing
question? What does God want from an individual after salvation?
In the Gospel of John above, Jesus clearly identifies the characters in the
parable. Jesus is the vine, the Father is the vinedresser, and we are the
branches. First, the text states that unfruitful branches are simply cut off
(v2). The remaining branches are purgeth (or pruned). The pruning, while it may
be painful or hard to bear, is necessary. The purpose is not to destroy, but
rather, so that the branch can be more fruitful. Second, the text introduces the
principles of abiding (v4). The branch can not bear fruit without abiding in the
vine. It is from the sap of the vine, the juice that circulates through a plant
bearing water, food, and other needed ingredients, that the branches get their
vitality for growth and fruit bearing. The Holy Spirit is the sap of the
believer. Luke writes, "But ye shall receive power after that the Holy
Ghost is come upon you...(Acts 1:8a) Fruit bearing is a natural part of a
healthy branch. Likewise, the Christian should be in the fruit producing
business. Fruit bearing for a healthy branch is not an option.
What is the spiritual meaning of the fruit? Bruce Wilkinson, in his book,
"Secrets of the Vine, states, "But there's no reason to restrict
Jesus' meaning of fruit to winning souls. I have traced the words fruit and good
works in the Bible, and they're used nearly interchangeably." Paul
declares, "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good
works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." (Eph.
2:10) Again, to Titus he writes, "Let our people also learn to maintain
good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful." (Titus
3:14) So, not only are we to evangelize, produce other Christians, but also to
bear or produce good works. Wilkinson further states, "You bear inner fruit
when you allow God to nurture in you a new, Christlike quality: "The fruit
of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness, self-control" (Galatians).
Notice the four levels of fruit bearing described. First, there are those that
are fruitless (v2). Second, there are those that bear fruit (2). Third, there
are those that bear more fruit (v2). Finally, there are those that bear much
fruit (v5). Why were there fruitless branches? The text gives us a
clue―because they were not abiding. The Lord says, these branches are good
for nothing and should be burned. Christians are called to evangelize and to
good works. Where do you stand? Are you barren or bearing?
Are you producing at your maximum level? There are different consequences for
the barren and the bearing. The barren are gathered and discarded. However,
there are two things that happens to those who are bearing. First, by their
abiding, they can ask what they will and it shall be done. Second, when the
fruit bearers live up to what God expects, God is glorified and it is an
indicator of discipleship.
Are you barren or bearing?
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