Our society is productivity-oriented. We want to see results, not excuses. In such a social context, it is natural for us as Christians to expect the same in our spiritual lives. Jesus referred to spiritual results as “fruitfulness.” Read John 15:1-9.
STUDY QUESTIONS
1. Does Jesus command His disciples to be fruitful? (Look carefully!)
2. What does He command them to do and How does fruitfulness fit into this picture?
APPLICATION
Branches are attached to vines because that is the way they grow—the life of the branch is in the vine. Fruitfulness comes as a natural by-product of this completely dependent relationship. If you have ever seen a grapevine wreath, you know how dry and unfruitful branches disconnected from vines become, yet how often are we more concerned about being productive than about being firmly rooted and growing in Christ our vine! The key to true fruitfulness is to be so hungry and thirsty for all that Jesus offers us that our only desire is to please Him in all that we do. He will work powerfully through hearts and lives totally yielded to Him.
PRAYER
• Ask God to purify your heart so that your one desire will be to grow in your relationship to Him.
• Ask Him to cleanse you from superficial productivity so that He can do His work of true fruitfulness in His time.
Key Verse
I am the vine; you are the branches… Apart from Me,
you can do nothing. John 15:5