“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. John 15:1 & 2

It’s time for some heart searching. We all need to do that, myself included. We all need to look at what kind of fruit we are bearing. Jesus warns us that he cuts off every branch that bears no fruit.

My son, give me your heart and let your eyes delight in my ways. . . Proverbs 23:26

I don’t mean to be harsh, but the more I see what many so-called churches are teaching these days, and see the fruit of people who call themselves Christians, the more I wonder how many have truly given their hearts to Jesus – and let their eyes delight in his ways.

What are God’s ways?

I know this sounds like an odd question to ask a Christian, but do you really know the Word of God? Do you read it for yourself, or are you trusting in a pastor or teacher, or preacher to teach you? Are they giving you their opinion – or are you being taught by God’s Word alone.

Let’s continue in John 15:4-7 to see what Jesus has to say about being fruitful.

Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.  “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

Jesus is the Word made flesh. (John 1:14)

Jesus teaches us that apart from him we can do nothing. If you do not remain in his word – is he in you? If you are not in the word, can you bear fruit? Jesus says, if you do not remain in him and his word, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers, and that you will be thrown into the fire and burned. Think about that for a little while!

How important is it that you are in the Word?

In John 15:10 Jesus says:

If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.

The opposite then is also true. If you do not keep his commands, you will not remain in his love.

How can you keep his commands if you are not in his Word and know what his commands are?

I hope that you know that this message is in love and is not meant to condemn, but encourage you to draw closer to God. I encourage you to let God teach you, by his Word and by his Holy Spirit, so that you can be fruitful!

I will end today with this Scripture from Proverbs 3:5-7

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.  Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.