Fruitfulness

Key Text

John 15:1–5 (NKJV)

“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 bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”

Introduction

God’s blessing upon humanity has always included fruitfulness. — “Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply(Gen. 1:28) — From creation to Christ’s command to His disciples, God reveals that fruitfulness is a blessing and anyone that does not bear good fruit He will cut off.

“Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” Matt 7:17

God’s Directive on Fruitfulness

At Creation: “Be fruitful and multiply” (Gen. 1:28).
In Christ: “I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain” (John 15:16).
For His Glory: “By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples” (John 15:8).

Scriptural Guidance on how to remain fruitful

1. Abide in Christ

“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 bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the words which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” John‬ ‭15‬:‭1‬-‭5‬ ‭NKJV

Abiding means continual dependence, not one-time confession.

2. Love One Another

“..If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us.” I John‬ ‭4‬:‭12‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
That sounds too simple. No wonder some religious people and countries that removed love from the equation are not fruitful.
Fruitfulness is impossible where love is absent. Religion without love is barren.

3. The Holy Spirit

“By this we know that we abide in Him… because He has given us of His Spirit” (1 John 4:13).
The Spirit is both the evidence and the power of fruitfulness (Eph. 1:14–15).

4. Confession of Christ

“Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him” (1 John 4:15).
Confession is not a one-time act but a lifestyle of declaring Christ.
“Do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward” (Heb. 10:35).

5. The Word of God

“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.” ‭‭John‬ ‭15‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Fruitfulness flows from a life rooted in Scripture.

Action Points

Love the Lord with all your heart, soul, and mind.
Love your neighbor as yourself.
Remain confident in your confession of Christ.
Walk daily in the Holy Spirit’s power.
Meditate on and obey God’s Word consistently.

Reflection Questions

What does pruning look like in your personal walk with Christ?
Which of the five ways to abide (love, Spirit, confession, Word, dependence) do you need to strengthen most?