That we Bear More Fruit

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.” (John 15:1-6 ESV)

This was Jesus speaking. We who believe in Jesus Christ, the vine, are his branches in the vineyard of God. But not everyone who initially believes in Jesus Christ remains connected to the vine. Many depart from the faith and so they do not bear fruit in keeping with repentance. And this is talked about in the Parable of the Sower where there were four types of soil (responses to the gospel), and only one of them (the 4th) was a bearer of fruit for the kingdom of God. The third one was unfruitful (Matthew 13:3-23).

And we are warned against being cocky with regard to the branches (the Jews) who were broken off due to unbelief while we who were Gentiles by birth were grafted in by faith in Jesus Christ. We are not to be proud, but we are to fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare us if we do not continue in him and in his true grace. For he can cut us off, too (Romans 11:17-24). For his grace is not freedom to keep living in sin. His grace trains us to say “No!” to ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives (Titus 2:11-14).

Nonetheless, that is not the grace message that is being popularized today and is widely accepted. What is widely accepted and even lauded (praised and honored) is a false grace which is convincing people that they can believe in Jesus, have all their sins forgiven, and be on their way to heaven, but regardless of how they live; regardless of whether or not they bear fruit in keeping with true repentance for God’s eternal kingdom. But that is a lie from Satan, for God can cut us off, too, if we do not yield our lives to his control and if we do not follow him in obedience (Luke 9:23-26).

So don’t believe the lies which are telling you that how you live doesn’t matter for eternity as long as you have “Prayed the prayer” to receive Christ into your life. For our salvation from sin is not based on a one-time profession of faith in Jesus Christ. But it has to do with our walks of faith and obedience to our Lord. For if sin is what we practice, and not obedience to our Lord in walks of holiness and righteousness, and if we do not repent of our sin and turn to walk in obedience to our Lord, we will die in our sins.

[Matt 7:21-23; Lu 9:23-26; John 1:12-13; John 6:44; John 10:27-30; Acts 26:18; Rom 2:6-8; Rom 6:1-23; Rom 8:1-14; Rom 12:1-2; 1 Co 6:9-10,19-20; 1 Co 10:1-22; 2 Co 5:10,15,21; Gal 5:16-24; Gal 6:7-8; Eph 2:8-10; Eph 4:17-32; Eph 5:3-6; Col 1:21-23; Col 3:1-17; Titus 2:11-14; 1 Jn 1:5-10; 1 Jn 2:3-6,24-25; 1 Jn 3:4-10; 1 Peter 1:15; 1 Pet 2:24; Heb 3:1-19; Heb 4:1-13; Heb 10:23-31; Heb 12:1-2; Rev 21:8,27; Rev 22:14-15]

So, please take this passage of Scripture seriously, for your eternity depends on you believing and following and obeying the truth.

On the bright side of this, if we are those who, by God’s grace, and by God-persuaded faith in Jesus Christ, are bearing fruit for the kingdom of heaven in keeping with repentance (Galatians 5:16-24; Matthew 3:8; 2 Peter 1:3-11), and so we are walking in obedience to our Lord in holy living and no longer in sin, and so we are doing the work that God has called all of us to do, by his Spirit, then we have the hope of salvation from sin and eternal life with God. But he will prune (discipline) us for our good so that we can bear even more fruit for the kingdom of heaven (see Hebrews 12:1-29).

But the only way in which any of this can be accomplished in our lives is via us abiding in Christ and in his word. And to abide means to remain in Christ and in his word, to continue in him steadfast in faith and in practice in doing the will of God and holding fast to the word of truth. For it also means to comply with him and with his will and purpose for our lives, and to adhere to his commands, and to uphold his righteousness by how we live, in daily practice. This doesn’t mean we will be absolutely perfect in everything that we do, but sin should no longer be our practice. Obedience should be.

[See noted Scriptures above]

Wait! 

 

An Original Work / February 8, 2014

Wait for your Lord. Be of courage.

Be strong, and take heart today.

God is always watching o’er you.

Trust Him with your life always.

Sing of your Lord. Praise His blessings.

Believe in His sovereignty.

He delivered you from your sin;

Gave you life eternally.

Rest in your Lord. Know His promise.

Beneath His wings rest secure.

Your God has a plan and purpose.

Let your faith in Him endure.

Trust in your Lord. He’ll not leave you,

Because He is faithfulness.

He will lead and guide; protect you.

In His love you can find rest. 

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