Just as one would expect grapes from a grape vine, the most obvious fruit of a Christian is another Christian. We should tell others how Jesus Christ was crucified for our sins and arose from the dead to give us fruitful lives. God wants us to so live and testify so that others will become Christians.

Other spiritual fruit will include character, qualities, such as “…love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control,” (Galatians 5:22-23). Spiritual fruit is produced in and through our lives as we abide in Jesus, His Word and His church.

God’s first recorded words to Adam were, “Be fruitful and multiply,” (Genesis 1:28). This meant having children but it also meant being fruitful in serving God and other ways. Jesus gave a similar commission when He said, “I chose you and appointed you that ye should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should remain,” (John 15:16). Just before His ascension, Jesus commanded His followers to, “Go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15).

How can you work with God in His garden? Jesus said, “Abide in Me.”

First, you must have the right seed. Jesus is the seed of Salvation. You must receive Him and be vitally connected to Him. When you believe in Jesus, yielding your life to Him, He grafts you into Himself. This speaks of personal salvation. Has that happened to you?

The soil of your life must be cultivated. This involves abiding in Jesus. He said “If you abide in Me {worship}, and My words abide in you {Bible study}, you will ask what you desire (prayer) and it shall be done for you” (John 15:7). Having good soil also includes getting the rocks and weeds out of the soil. Rocks and weeds could refer to sinful attitudes and habits, which prevent spiritual fruit bearing.

Jesus said, “My Father is the vinedresser” (John 15:1). “Vinedresser” could be translated “farmer” or “gardener.” God’s Holy Spirit tenderly shows Christians areas that need changing. Humble response to His conviction allows God to get the rocks and weeds of sin out of our lives. Jesus says the vinedresser “takes away” or “prunes” the unfruitful branches to increase their fruitfulness, (John 15:2). Many plants produce too many leaves and unfruitful branches. This compares to Christians who get too busy or get their priorities confused. Our lives may be filled with many good activities while neglecting the best, such as worship, Bible study, prayer and witnessing. Does God need to prune your life of unfruitful activities so that He can make you more fruitful for Him?

Gardens also need to be protected from enemies like rabbits, deer and insects. This could compare to the attacks of Satan. Our divine “vinedresser” will defend us as we abide in Christ. Sunshine and rain involve God’s gracious response to our prayers. The nutrients from the soil could be likened to the food of His Word. Fertilizer could be our kind deeds to others preparing them for the seed.

So, how is your spiritual garden? Is it fruitful for God? Abide in Christ and His Word. With His power and grace you can have a bumper crop. Amen.

This entry was posted on Thursday, April 19th, 2007 at 7:40 pm and is filed under Blog Entries, Articles. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.