We need to all bear fruit; being fruitful is not optional in the kingdom of God on earth!
When God created humankind, he blessed Adam and Eve and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth” (Gen. 1:28). Jesus tells us that it’s out of the heart that the mouth speaks (Luke 6:45). What was in God’s heart when he spoke those words? Likely, great pleasure and delight as he looked upon his human creatures, but in his omniscience, he also expected that with free will, some (even people after his own heart) would obey the commandment of fruitfulness and others would not.
The consequences of not being fruitful are dire. Part of John the Baptist’s mission was to declare that “every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire” (Matt. 3:10).
Jesus not only stressed the requirement of fruitfulness; he clarified the means. We are to be fruitful by being connected to him. He said very clearly in John 15:5:
“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.”
He went on to say that if anyone doesn’t remain connected to him, that person is like a branch that’s thrown away and withers, then picked up, thrown into the fire and burned (John 15:6)! There’s no doubt that fruitfulness is important and that it originates from the vine. Jesus also said:
“It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you” (John 15:16, NAB).
Fruitfulness doesn’t just happen, but rather, comes out of your answering the call, honoring the choice the Lord made to have YOU bear lasting fruit! If accomplishing that call to fruitfulness seems impossible, don’t forget that God APPOINTED you to the task, SO HE’LL MAKE A WAY! That’s why it’s easy. Yoked to Jesus, you’ll still have rest. And the Spirit is the power, God is the producer, and you’re not carrying any responsibility for the results, but rather, just for heeding the Spirit’s promptings!
Fruit can be visible—like a quilt or a book or showing up to serve at a soup kitchen—or it can be fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal. 5:22-23), which are seen as good character, good conduct, and a blessing for the lives of others.
Our garden is yielding some good greens right now, there are clusters on our vines getting ready to yield juicy grapes, and perhaps if the birds didn’t eat them all, there are some blueberries on our bushes. I love summer produce, but I’m especially grateful for fruitfulness that comes from walking in the Spirit. How are you going to bear fruit in these glorious summer months?