Today we made our annual pilgrimage to the apple orchard. I love Honeycrisp apples and this orchard has the best. They even let you sample them as you are picking. I don’t know how many we picked, but it will last us for months.
This is still early in the season, so the trees were full of fruit. It made my mouth water in anticipation of many great snacks, pies and breads. Apples are good for me and tasty. What a great combination of benefits!
Jesus expects us to bear fruit for His honor in doing good works. These good works vary from believer to believer, but include helping those in need, being kind and generous, and telling others about God’s love. Jesus talked about bearing fruit in His name and his words are recorded in John 15:1-5: “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 does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. “
Abiding in Jesus is the key to bearing fruit, for we can do nothing apart from Him. Abiding is denying our selfish ways and surrendering to His loving ways. It starts at a point in time, when we trust Him alone for salvation and redemption. It continues in a lifetime of trust and obedience.
Reluctant Retiree 