+DEV+ God and Fruit

Date: August 1, 2010 8:39 PM
Topic: +DEV+ God and Fruit

God and Fruit

"'I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit...This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit...'" (John 15:5a,8).
Scripture Focus: John 15:1-8

We once took a trip to Florida. I saw for the first time citrus fruit hanging on trees. People grew oranges, lemons, and grapefruit in their yards. As we drove by, the colorful, abundant fruit was eye-catching. I realized later that the fruit was the only thing about those trees I remembered.

The fruit of our lives as Christians is supposed to be distinctive and memorable. Many unbelievers around us do have that impression of us, but, sadly, the impression is bitter. Why is that? Perhaps our fruit is immature, or we've fallen off or been severed from the vine. We are so busy we don't have much time to spare for quietly abiding in God's Word and being still before Him. We have a limited relationship with the body of Christ. Jesus' disciples spent time with Him and each other, and their lives couldn't help but be changed. The fruit of our lives will become ripe and sweet, too, through the touch of the Master's hand. Christianity isn't only about what we know. It is about who we are actually becoming-like Jesus.

Insight: The fruit of your life is not only for yourself, it will be tasted by others. Is
your fruit bitter or sweet?