The True Vine, part 3

Bearing Much Fruit

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. John 15:5

These are the words of our Lord. In my Bible, they are written in red. Jesus loves us, and promises that the result of abiding in him is bearing much fruit. Consider these words from Andrew Murray:

Have you ever noticed the difference in the Christian life between work and fruit? A machine can do work; only life can bear fruit. A law can compel work: only love can spontaneously bring forth fruit. Work implies effort and labor; the essential idea of fruit is that it is the silent, natural, restful produce of our inner life.

The gardener . . . can do nothing to produce the apple. The tree bears its own fruit. So in the Christian life: The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy peace." The healthy life bears much fruit. . .

He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit." The gardener cares for one thing -- the strength and healthy life of his tree; the fruit follows of itself. If you would bear fruit, see that the inner life is perfectly right, that your relation to Christ Jesus is clear and close. Begin each day with Him in the morning, to know in truth that you are abiding in Him and He in you. 1

1 The True Vine, by Andrew Murray, published by Moody Press, 1997, pp.46-47