The insect I identify with most is the common “fruit fly”. In the years of my youth, it was my practice to survey nearby properties where I lived for trees with branches, hanging over boundary fences, laden with attractive fruit… begging and waiting to be plundered and devoured. Fruit is attractive, nourishing, and satisfying! Fruit trees are happiest when they are heavy-laden with fruit.

The Lord has a keen interest in fruit—however, not the physical variety. He surveys the lives of those who “say” they are believers to examine their lives for fruit that confirms they really “belong” to Him. Indeed, a true disciple of Jesus Christ is a prolific “fruit-producer”!  Every person who claims to be a believer is being examined by God for their fruitful-being, not their gifted-doing.

In the Book of John, much space is devoted to Jesus’ teaching to His disciples concerning this topic. Metaphorically, in chapter 15, Jesus said to them, “I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener.”  “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing” (vv. 1, 5).

Looking back: Israel was God’s chosen vine on which He lavished care and attention (Ps. 80:8; Isa. 5:1-7). He longed for fruit, but the vine (Israel) through idolatry and pagan living became degenerate and produced thorns. However, it is Jesus, “the true vine”, who is able to fulfil what God had intended for Israel.

Looking forward: With Jesus as the true Vine, the Gardener/Caretaker (the Father) expects fruit, which is mentioned eight times by Jesus in chapter 15. A progression is seen: fruit (v. 2), more fruit (v. 2), and much fruit (vv. 5, 8). The fruit that God desires and commands is produced “in” the branches… in the lives of true believers… in you and me!

Fruit explained: The fruit which God desired from Israel was loving obedience, righteousness, and justice (Isa. 5:1-7). The fruit which God desires from New Testament believers is Christlike obedience, righteousness, and holiness (Lev. 11:45).

Fruit produced – HOW? New Testament fruitfulness is the result of Christ’s life being produced in the lives of believers (Rom. 8:29). The believer’s part is to remain in the Vine. This key word, remain, occurs 11 times in this chapter, 40 times in the entire Gospel! The Lord’s repetitive use of this word is of utmost importance to grasp. What does it mean to remain? It means the Spirit of Christ is in you (cf. 6:54, 56). It means to continue or persevere in believing in Him (8:31; 1 Jn. 2:19, 24). And, it means loving obedience (15: 9-10). NOTE: Without faith, the life of God cannot come to anyone. Without the life of God, fruit cannot be produced. The bottom line is this: We cannot be spiritual fruit-producers unless we are “in” Christ, and we “remain” in Him!

A believer’s constant abiding in Christ through the indwelling of His Holy Spirit results in “abundant” fruit production (v. 8). But those who do not abide in Jesus… who do not remain in Him will face certain disaster. They are likened to a branch without life… dead and cut off (v. 2). The branch is worthless and therefore will be thrown into the fire and burned. Judas was with Jesus, but he did not abide in Jesus. Judas did not have God’s life in him. By his choice, Judas left Jesus and his destiny was like that of a dead branch… the Gardener cut him off! (15:2)

Effective prayer is based on faith in Christ and His words remaining in the believer. His words condition and control the minds of the believer so that their prayers conform to the Father’s will. If our prayers are in accordance with God’s will, the result is certain… “He will give us what we ask for” (1 Jn. 5:14-15).

Jesus pointed out to His disciples that contrary to Jewish practice where the disciples chose their teacher, He had “chosen” them (vv. 16, 19). The purpose of His choosing was so that they would produce “lasting” fruit (v. 16). He chose them for a mission, and His Father would answer their requests in order to accomplish that mission… “whatever you ask for, using My name” (v. 16).

Friends, fruit is what proves the true nature of a tree, not a picture sign or label. It is the fruit of Christ’s reflection in us that proves that the life of God is in us and that He is pleased with our life and service to Him.

We have been chosen. We have been called. And, we have been commanded to “be” prolific fruit producers! We haven’t been chosen for any other purpose.

God is not interested in what you say about Him, but what your life is saying about Him. Fruit that is being produced in our lives is the way our Heavenly Father is greatly glorified (v. 8). The Father’s delight is seeing a growing likeness of His Son in you, and me. Now, that’s the fruit He finds attractive and worth preserving!

Jesus is the true Vine! He says to us, “When you produce much fruit, you are My true disciples” (Jn. 15:8).  

Bill