Fruitful Living
I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without Me. John 15:5
Growing up, I lived just down a country road from my grandparents, who had two really large apple trees in their yard. During the summer months, those trees were loaded with apples, so much so that the tree limbs would often break from the weight of the apples. Some of my favorite memories of being at my grandparents are of picking apples with a little green to them from those trees and eating them. I can still taste the tartness of those apples. There is nothing like a fresh apple picked straight from the tree on a late summer afternoon. No doubt, my grandmother made thousands of apple pies and jars of apple jelly from the apples on those trees. She came to expect and rely on those apples during the summer and even into the winter months. She would slice and freeze apples to be used during those months for apple fritters, apple dumplings, and many other dishes made with apples.
If those apple trees had not borne apples, they would have been no more than shade on a hot summer day or a climbing adventure for a little boy and his cousins. They would not have served their primary purpose for which they were created.
Do you realize that you are to be a fruit bearer? It’s part of your purpose. Fruit-bearing is not optional for the believer; it’s a natural outcome of staying connected to Christ. Just as a branch cannot produce fruit by itself, we cannot manufacture spiritual results by our own effort. Abiding in Jesus—staying close, consistent, and dependent—makes fruit possible. We cannot do it alone.
What does fruit-bearing look like for us?
Fruit may come in the form of Christ-like attributes that we take on and live out. Galatians 5:22-23 says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The law is not against such things.” Notice this list is referred to as fruit and not fruits. When we surrender our lives to Christ, we take on all of these character fruits of His. Perhaps we choose to face each day, even if it is difficult, as a blessing from the Lord, rather than complaining and wishing we had a different life. Perhaps we are patient and gentle with our children, even if we have repeated ourselves numerous times for them to complete their chore instead of yelling at them and having a mean spirit.
Fruit may come in the form of selfless love and ministry to others. Philippians 2:3-4 says, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” Maybe this manifests in serving in our church or community. Maybe it is visiting a sick friend, making food for a family in your church with a new baby, or watching a neighbor’s children while the couple goes on a much-needed date night.
Fruit may come in helping others grow in their faith and making disciples. Matthew 28:19-20 says, “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Maybe you and your spouse decide, with the new Sunday School year, to move out of your comfortable couples class and teach kids. Perhaps you serve as a mentor or accountability partner for a teenager in your youth group. Maybe this is as simple as inviting a co-worker to church.
Are you bearing fruit that is representative of Christ living within you? God created us to live fruitful lives. Does the key verse above tell us that when we remain in Christ, we will produce a small portion, hardly noticed? No, it tells us that we will bear MUCH fruit, to the point that the limbs break! If you find yourself in a dry spot with no growth and no fruit bearing, take a hard look at yourself and how you spend your time. Fruitfulness is the evidence of a life rooted in Christ. You don’t have to force it—just stay close to the Vine.
Call to Action
What does remaining in Christ look like, and how can this become reality for you daily?
What kind of fruit is most evident in my life right now?
Which of the fruit of the Spirit do you need more of in your life? How might you make that happen?
What is one act of service that you will commit to to show selfless love?
How can you invest eternally in someone close to you?
Digging Deeper
Read these additional verses: Matthew 7:16, Luke 3:8, Luke 6:43-44, John 15:16, Ephesians 5:9, Colossians 1:10, Romans 7:4
Prayer
Lord Jesus, You are the true Vine, and I am just a branch. Teach me to abide in You daily. Help me to bear fruit that reflects Your character, blesses others, and glorifies the Father. Grow in me a heart that remains rooted in You. Amen.
Copyright © 2025 Kyle Cravens
