I Remain: Bear Fruit

One of my favorite classes that I have taken while in seminary since 2021 was "Strategies of Discipleship." A project in that class was to study the first seventeen verses of John 15 with a friend or someone in my church. I enjoyed this assignment because I learned many valuable lessons from Jesus's words.

John 15 contains some of Jesus's final words to His disciples before He died on the cross. Final words are significant and can leave a lasting legacy. These words from Jesus were valuable to His disciples and are helpful to us today. Two thousand years later, we still strive to abide by these words and remain in Christ.

Throughout elementary and middle school, I remember learning how to structure a sentence. Part of those lessons included learning what an "If, then" sentence was. For example, John 15:5 says, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." Look at the second sentence Jesus says, and you will find an "If, then" statement. What is He saying?

If we remain in Jesus, if we believe He is God's one and only Son, confess Him as Lord, ask Him to forgive us for our sins, and do what God says, then we will reap the benefits and bear much fruit. People will see Christ in us. People will see the fruit in our lives- joy, love, answered prayers, and so much more.

How does one remain in Christ? By believing He is God's Son and trusting Him with your life. You also remain in prayer and remain in His Word. I have a personal example I would like to share with you. This past Saturday, I did not have my quiet time in the morning like I usually do. As the day progressed, I desired less and less to read God's Word and abide in Jesus. What was the result? I felt thrown off all day.

Not abiding and remaining in God's Word and remaining in the promises of Jesus is noticeable. You tend to lose joy and accept the lies of the world. You tend to have less desire for Jesus. But remaining in Jesus and abiding in Him means you bear fruit. This fruit is more promising and fulfilling than the fruit of the world.

As you start your day and a new week, remain in Jesus and you will bear fruit.