Bearing fruit as a Christian is vitally important, but it can often feel challenging to live a fruitful life. When we look to the Bible, we find that the key to bearing fruit ultimately comes down to our connection and obedience to Jesus Christ.
In John 15:5, Jesus declares, “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” This verse makes it clear – remaining connected to Jesus is essential for bearing fruit. As branches connected to the vine of Christ, his life and strength flow through us, enabling us to flourish and be fruitful. When our relationship with Christ is our top priority, spending time in prayer, worship, Bible study and fellowship, we are positioned to bear fruit.
However, merely being connected to Christ is not enough. In John 15:8, Jesus goes on to say, “By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.” Bearing fruit proves our discipleship. It demonstrates the authenticity of our connection to Christ through our obedience to His commands.
In John 15:10 Jesus says, “If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.” Obeying Christ’s teachings out of love and devotion is key to remaining in close relationship with Him. As we seek to follow Christ wholeheartedly in how we think, speak and act, we will naturally bear fruit that honors God.
Additionally, Jesus makes clear in John 15:16 that bearing fruit is linked to answered prayer: “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.” As we abide in Christ, obeying His commands, our lives will be fruitful. Then as we pray according to His will, the Father graciously answers those prayers, enabling greater kingdom fruitfulness through our lives.
So in summary, the key to bearing fruit as a Christian is twofold: remaining intimately connected to Jesus Christ through time spent focused on Him, and obeying His commands out of love and devotion. This faith relationship is supernatural and life-giving. As we follow this model of abiding and obeying, Jesus promises we will bear much fruit to the glory of God the Father.
What Does it Mean to Bear Fruit as a Christian?
When we speak of “bearing fruit” in the Christian life, what exactly does that mean? According to Scripture, bearing spiritual fruit refers to growing in Christlike virtues, fulfilling the Great Commission through evangelism and discipleship, and serving others.
In Galatians 5:22-23, Paul describes the fruit of the Spirit: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” As we grow deeper in relationship with Christ, these virtues and attitudes become increasingly evident in our lives.
Additionally, bearing fruit means participating in the Great Commission. In Matthew 28:19-20 Jesus commands his followers to “go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” Bearing fruit includes spreading the gospel and making new disciples for Christ.
Finally, bearing fruit involves serving others through acts of love. Paul exhorts believers in Galatians 5:13, “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” Using our gifts, resources and talents to practically care for others produces spiritual fruit.
In summary, bearing fruit as a Christian means reflecting Christlike virtues, fulfilling the Great Commission through evangelism, living out Christ’s teachings, and serving others through love. This brings glory to God and advances His kingdom purposes in the world.
Why is Bearing Fruit Important?
Bearing spiritual fruit is vitally important for every Christian for several key reasons:
- It brings glory to God – As Jesus declares in John 15:8, by bearing much fruit we prove ourselves to be His disciples and glorify God.
- It indicates spiritual maturity – Our fruitfulness shows the authenticity and depth of our relationship with Christ. Fruit takes time to grow, indicating mature spirituality.
- It advances God’s kingdom – Bearing fruit fulfills the Great Commission, spreading the gospel through our witness and growing God’s family.
- It benefits others – The fruit we bear through acts of love and service practically meets needs and cares for others.
- It guards against unfruitfulness – Jesus warns in John 15:2 that He removes unfruitful branches. Bearing fruit guards against spiritual decay.
In essence, bearing fruit results in exponential kingdom impact. Our lives have the power to influence many for Christ. That’s why fruitfulness is so vitally important. The abundant, lasting spiritual fruit we produce brings great glory to God and joy to our lives as disciples of Jesus.
How Can We Bear More Fruit?
Bearing abundant, lasting spiritual fruit is something every Christian longs for. Here are some key steps we can take to be more fruitful:
- Prioritize time with Jesus – Daily Bible reading, prayer and worship strengthens our connection to the vine so Christ’s life flows through us.
- Obey Christ wholeheartedly – As we follow Jesus’ teachings and the Spirit’s promptings, we’ll bear fruit that aligns with God’s will.
- Engage in spiritual community – Fellowship with other believers provides encouragement and accountability to continue growing.
- Serve others in love – Meeting practical needs through acts of kindness bears fruit in people’s lives.
- Share the gospel – Telling others about Christ and investing in disciple-making bears eternal fruit.
- Walk in the Spirit – As we submit to the Holy Spirit and pursue His gifts, the Spirit produces His fruit in and through us.
Above all, recognizing that apart from Christ we can do nothing (John 15:5) is key. Dependence on Jesus through prayer and His Word gives the strength and wisdom needed to bear fruit that remains. With the Holy Spirit at work within us, we can trust God to produce incredible kingdom fruitfulness through our obedient lives.
Barriers to Bearing Fruit
Despite our desire to live fruitful lives, believers often face barriers that can hinder fruitfulness. Some key obstacles we must guard against include:
- Sin or disobedience – Where sin or compromise takes root, fruitfulness fades. Maintaining a repentant heart is key.
- Distractions – When other priorities crowd out time with God, our connection to the vine withers.
- Idolatry – When good things become ultimate things that replace intimacy with God, fruit stops growing.
- Pride – Self-sufficiency apart from reliance on Christ severely limits fruitfulness.
- Lack of faith – Doubting God’s power at work within us discourages fruit growth.
- Fatigue – Physical or emotional depletion can drain our capacity to bear fruit. Rest is needed.
In order to diagnose barriers in our lives, regular examination through prayer and Scripture reflection is essential. And don’t miss the promise of John 15:2 – God graciously prunes fruitful branches so that they bear even more fruit. Staying connected to Christ enables Him to refine us to remove hindrances as we seek sustained fruitfulness.
Examples of Spiritual Fruitfulness
The Bible offers us many inspirational examples of spiritual fruitfulness. Looking at what it means to bear fruit in others’ lives spurs us on in pursuing greater fruitfulness.
- Paul – He spread the gospel across the Roman world, discipled many new believers, and wrote letters that continue bearing fruit today.
- Tabitha (Dorcas) – She bore fruit by serving the poor and making clothing for those in need in her community (Acts 9:36-43).
- Mary of Bethany – She sat at Jesus’ feet as His disciple and her worship through pouring costly perfume upon Him still bears fruit of adoration today.
- Aquila and Priscilla – This husband and wife discipled Apollos more carefully in the faith and their legacy of teaching still impacts many.
Throughout church history we find inspiring examples of those who bore incredible spiritual fruit through Christ-centered lives of worship, service, generosity and evangelism. The same empowering Holy Spirit who enabled their fruitfulness lives within us today!
Trusting God with the Fruit
While fruit bearing requires great intentionality, it is also important to remember that spiritual fruit originates from God. As Jesus said in John 15:16, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit.”
We are chosen and appointed by Christ to bear fruit. We need only be faithful to abide in Him, obey in love, and trust the Holy Spirit to produce His fruit through willing vessels. In seasons of difficulty or seeming fruitlessness, resting in Christ’s loving sovereignty over the fruit our lives will bear brings confidence, peace, and perseverance to keep following Him.
Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 3:7, “So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.” God graciously enables every seed of spiritual fruit we sow to grow. By His grace, the fruit of eternal impact we long for will come to full harvest in His timing.
The key is staying connected to the True Vine so His life and Holy Spirit can bear miraculous fruit through us, for the glory of God the Father. He is able to accomplish infinitely more than we could ever ask or imagine (Eph. 3:20)! So let’s continue abiding in Christ and trusting Him for a great harvest of spiritual fruit.