THE VINE AND THE BRANCHES

v5. I am the vine and you are the branches. Those who stay united with me, and I with them, are the ones who bear much fruit; because apart from me you can't do a thing. 
v6. Unless a person remains united with me, he is thrown away like a branch and dries up. Such branches are gathered and thrown into the fire, where they are burned up. 
v7. If you remain united with me, and my words with you, then ask whatever you want, and it will happen for you. 
v8. This is how my Father is glorified - in your bearing much fruit; this is how you will prove to be my disciple. 
v9. Just as my Father has loved me, I too have loved you; so stay in my love. 
v10. If you keep my commands, you will stay in my love - just as I have kept my Father's commands and stay in His love.
v11. I have said this to you so that my joy may be in you, and your joy be complete.
v12. This is my command: that you keep on loving each other just as I have loved you.
John 15:5-12 (Complete Jewish Bible)

Bearing Fruit On The Foundation Of Love

Just as a wife and husband becomes united and become one in flesh (Genesis 2:24), so is it with Jesus and The Church, his disciples. We are his Bride and He is our Bridegroom and we are made one in the Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:17)

Being united means to be joined together for a common purpose.

As I was researching on this topic, I couldn’t help but to share the three purposes between a bride and her groom according to the Eagle Family Org. Those three purposes are companionship, procreation and redemption. You may be wondering, “how do these relate to Christ and his Church”? Keep reading.

Jesus is all about community (companionship), making disciples (procreation) and salvation (redemption).

When you are one in the spirit with Jesus, you start bearing fruit. The more time you commune with him, you start bearing much fruit. The fruit that will last. The fruit that will make other people want to commune and live with him and him in them. The fruit that will save souls for eternity.

So if he calls us to go bear fruit, we need to walk in the Spirit and produce the fruit he has already given us.

And it started with love.

The Fruit Of The Spirit

Love

”Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself”. – Matt. 22:37-39

Joy

“Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being in the same spirit and of one mind”. – Philippians 2:1-2

Peace

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus”. – Philippians 4:6-7

Patience

“Love is patient“. – 1 Corinthians 13:4

Kindness

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience”. – Colossians 3:12

Goodness

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven”. – Matthew 5:14-16

Faithfulness

“Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man”. – Proverbs 3:3

Gentleness

“Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.” – Philippians 4:5

Self Control

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and self-discipline”. – 2 Timothy 1:7

The Body of Christ has a responsibility to uphold. We are called to bear fruit that will last. Will you be willing to be a worker for God’s vineyard? For Jesus said, “the harvest is great, but the workers are few”.

Thank you for reading, Monique ST