Fruit-bearing Disciples

 

“If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit…”

—John 15:5

Most everyone wants to feel as if he or she has a clear purpose in life.Almost no one wants to give the impression that he or she is facing life in an aimless, rootless, pointless, unfocused way. Even those individuals who relish in describing themselves as “free spirits,” actually cling to that description as their clear purpose in life.

In my career as a fire protection engineer that “clear purpose” was to make certain that buildings had specifically designed fire protection equipment and systems overseen by concerned management that would:

• save lives
  
  
• protect the physical property
  
  
• assure the continued mission of the facility
  
  
• preserve the heritage contained in the facility, and
  
  
• protect the environment.
  
  

As believers in the life-transforming power of the living Lord Jesus Christ, we also have a very clear purpose in life: to become fruit-bearing disciples. Our Savior explains this in John 15:5-8:

“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.

“If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.

“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

“This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”

Starting with the beginning of this new day, let us abide in Christ by spending time reading His written Word, the Bible, and by talking with Him in prayer. Then, let us proceed through our day conscious of our Savior’s great love for us and equally conscious of our duty to show His love in the way we relate to the people He brings across our pathway.

In so doing, we will abide—or remain—in Him and bring glory to His Name. And, we will become fruit-bearing disciples of the Great King Jesus.

 

Based on a blog originally posted on Thursday, October 15, 2015

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