Bearing Fruit for the Glory of God

Healthy vine branches bear beautiful fruit.

Jesus said, "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. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 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 15:4-8)

Christ followers were to be healthy branches that bring forth beautiful fruit to the glory of God.

Did you ever stop and ask yourself, "Why use fruit as an example of bringing glory to God?"

Glory is great praise, honor, or distinction that one receives when the public admires you. It is something received for bravery on the battlefield, or for being the source of something magnificent that gives people a sense of awe. Fruit?

Christ took a cup with the fruit of the vine, the blood of the grape, at the Last Supper, and said, "This is the blood of the new covenant, shed for many". The blood, or life of Christ must be at the heart of our fruit, just as the juice is at the heart of the grape. From the glory of death and the cross, to the glory life and resurrection, to the glory of new life in us, to the glory of bearing fruit for God.

When you think of it, it is a pretty magnificent awe-inspiring picture, and all because the Son of God had the utmost bravery in the utmost battle.

All by His grace, all for His glory,
Pastor B.