(The following is the April 25 devotional from my Next Step Devotions book. Before reading it, I suggest you read John 15 and pay close attention to verses 1-8.)
How should a Christian think about the fruit he bears for Christ? There are healthy and unhealthy ways to consider the connection between what we do for Christ and the nature of our relationship with him.
For example, we should not think our actions for Christ earn us salvation since God saves us by grace through faith and not by works (Eph. 2:8-9). Neither should we see our labor for him as an obligation to check off from a religious to-do list. Nor should we think so highly of ourselves and our service that we believe God is fortunate to have us on his team. Instead, Jesus reminds us about our utter dependence on him to be fruitful for God’s kingdom: “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” (v. 5).
Are humans made in the image of God? Yes, and that brings inherent value and God-given characteristics and capabilities. But it doesn’t guarantee a right relationship with God or fruitful service for him. Are all believers in Christ endowed with at least one spiritual gift they can use for his glory? Yes, but that doesn’t mean we all faithfully identify and use those gifts. Do we have activities we enjoy and which serve valuable purposes? Of course, but those efforts may or may not produce fruit that makes an eternal difference for God’s kingdom.
To have a lasting kingdom impact through the fruit we bear, we must stay connected intimately to the only vine that can produce such fruit, Jesus Christ. The focus is not on us. The glory does not belong to us. We bear fruit because we continue to abide in Christ, and he uses us to produce the fruit needed for his purposes.
“You can do nothing without me,” Jesus said.
Next Step:
How do you abide in Christ daily? Do you consistently devote adequate time to prayer and studying God’s Word? What spiritual fruit for God’s kingdom has Christ produced through you recently?
