We Will Bear Fruit

Jesus taught us he is a vine and we are his branches.[ref]John 15:1-8.[/ref] As long as we remain in him, we will bear fruit, for we have a heavenly Father as vinedresser, pruning and caring for us. It may take time for a branch to bear fruit, but our Father knows what he’s about, and as long as we remain in Jesus, we will bear fruit, fruit that will show we are Jesus’ disciples: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.[ref]Galatians 5:22.[/ref] We remain in Jesus by obeying him.[ref]John 15:10.[/ref] Jesus explains why he tells us all this: that his joy may be in us and that our joy may be full, complete, missing nothing.[ref]John 15:11.[/ref]

There we have it. Jesus means for us to have joy, and we will, if we stick to him. As his life flows through us, buds one day appear, and then the blossoms of desire. The beauty of the flowers delights, but doesn’t last. This should not discourage us, however, for falling petals are a part of the fruiting process. If the branch stays attached, underneath where the flowers once were, the fruit begin to swell and grow until one day they abundantly fill the branches.

Excerpt from Philippians: Steps to Joy & Peace (forthcoming).