TEXT: JOHN 15:1–2 KJV
[1] I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. [2] Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
Discussion
Today’s devotional focuses on our spiritual health. The Bible text today was spoken by Jesus Christ. He said that He is the true vine, and God the Father is the one who tends the vine and maintains the farm. God does not wait and watch a withered branch; instead, He cuts it off and prunes the fruitful branch so that it can bear even more fruit.
The most outstanding thing about this story is that both the branch that bears fruit and the branch that does not bear fruit are connected to Him. They all receive sap from the same source, yet one is unproductive while the other is productive. The problem is not the source; the problem is the branch. In other words, the existence of an unproductive branch is simply a waste of sap and space.
Our objective today is to open our eyes to the importance of constantly evaluating ourselves to determine whether we are bearing fruit as we ought to and, more importantly, whether we are bearing the right kind of fruit. We cannot afford spiritual barrenness. We must bear godly fruit that will draw people to Christ—fruit such as joy, peace, righteousness, love, gentleness, faith, meekness, temperance, longsuffering, and goodness (Galatians 5:22).
No matter where we find ourselves, people should be able to recognise that we are Christians. At least one or two people should be able to identify us with Christ because of our character and the way we live.
According to our text, when we produce fruit, God increases us and enables us to produce even more fruit.
An example of a man who obtained mercy from God after being given the opportunity to evaluate himself was David. David committed a terrible atrocity against the family of Uriah the Hittite, yet he continued with his life as though everything was normal. He did this evil and seemed to forget about it, but God sent the prophet Nathan to David to give him the opportunity to evaluate himself and repent. David repented, and God showed him mercy (2 Samuel 12:13).
How could David commit such an atrocity and simply forget about it as though everything was normal? It was because he failed to take the time to evaluate his actions and consider how God felt about what he had done.
David’s case was very serious, but what about the seemingly little things we do that do not glorify God? What about the things in our lives that do not produce good fruit?
God wants us to evaluate ourselves today and check whether there are things within us that do not give Him glory, so that we can ask Him for mercy and allow Him to remove them.
I have discovered that the reason a person can go far into sin without realising it is because they have gone far away from God. When your Bible study life is no longer important to you, when your prayer life is no longer important, and when the things of God no longer receive your attention, you should examine yourself.
Anything that draws your attention away from God is drawing you away from God. God takes fruit-bearing very seriously. Let us ensure that we bear fruit that is worthy of the Lord.
God bless you.
Declarations:
I shall bear fruit for the Lord. Lord, search me, and if there is anything in me that is causing barrenness in the Spirit or anything that is bearing evil fruit, please take it away. Help me to bear godly fruit that glorifies You and draws others to Christ. Amen.
Light Up Christian Fellowship
