Originally published Monday, 29 June 2020.
Most of us are pretty familiar with the Fruit of the Spirit found in Galatians 5:22-23 which says, “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things.” Yet, while the Holy Spirit is here to help us produce this type of godly character, Jesus tells us that we also have a part in it.
This is confirmed in John 15:16, “I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name.” Here, Jesus is telling us to go and produce lasting fruit. Meaning, fruit that remains.
So, Jesus wants us to go out into the world, our homes, churches, communities, and even our social media platforms to produce lasting fruit. Yet, not only lasting fruit, but He wants us to produce MUCH fruit. Meaning much love, much joy, much peace, much patience, much kindness, much goodness, much faithfulness, much gentleness, and much self-control.
He tells us in John 15:8, “When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples.” Wowzers! Right?! So we are his true disciples when we produce much fruit. So if we are acting out of character on a consistent, habitual basis, then we really need to examine our walk with Christ. The Lord wants us to produce fruit, which is godly character.
The reason why this is so important is because when you and I produce good fruit in our lives, others will want what we have. They’ll see our godly character and good deeds and begin to ask themselves, “How can I be like that?” They’ll begin saying to themselves, “I want what she has.” And what we have is a life in Christ, exemplifying the characteristics of God. That is desiring to those who are either in darkness or wanting to mature in their faith.
Another reason why this is so important is because Jesus tells us that when we are producing fruit, it glorifies God. After Jesus said, “When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples.” He goes on to say, “This brings great glory to my Father.” Sis, when you and I bear good fruit, it makes people shout out, “God is good!”
God wants us to produce much fruit, because it helps people see Him through us. Christ is in us. The Holy Spirit is in us. God is with us.
With all this being said, the Lord wants us to remain in Him. Because as we remain in and stay close to Him through prayer, devotion, and studying His Word, the Bible tells us that we will produce much fruit. Jesus tells us in John 15:4, “Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.” Pretty clear, right?
Now, here is what He says in the very next verse (John 15:5), “Yes, I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me, you can do nothing.” We read and hear this very popular verse quoted often – but it is speaking specifically to bearing much fruit. Meaning, we cannot live fruitfully apart from Christ. We must remain close to Him. We must stay connected.
Here is the warning verse. Jesus tells us in John 15:6, “Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned.” A lot of people skip over this passage of Scripture. I don’t know 100% why? But don’t do it, sis. Take time to pray and meditate on this verse. Pause and consider.
The angle and lesson as you read this post is to not only produce much fruit, but to also remain in Christ – no matter what you encounter in this life. You can do this, as you stay connected to the One who called and chose you.
“You didn’t choose me. I chose you.
I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit.”
~Jesus (John 15:16)
Remember, Jesus is coming back soon! And those who endure unto the end shall be saved. So let’s be ready from the Inside Out!
~Courtnaye
QUESTION: As it relates to the Fruit of the Spirit, which fruit could you grow in more in this season of your life? Is it growing more in love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness (humility), or temperance (self-control)?
If you need prayer, please leave your prayer request in the comment section or you can email me directly at insideoutwithcourtnaye@gmail.com and I will pray for you. I'd love to hear from you.
Also, discover more resources from my ministry and find out more information about upcoming events and booking for your next conference or event by visiting www.courtnayerichard.com.Let's connect and let me know how this post ministered to you today! ~Courtnaye
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Courtnaye Richard is the founder of Inside Out with Courtnaye, a ministry that helps women grow in their walk with Christ from the heart and equips them to fulfill their God-given purpose. She is also the author of the book, IDENTIFIED: Knowing Who You Are in Christ and Moving Forward in Your Purpose. Courtnaye is married with three beautiful children and is a contributing writer for ibelieve.com, Women’s Ministry Tools, speaker of a host of women’s conferences, and her blog reaches thousands of women across the globe. She resides in the beautiful Texas Hill Country (outside of Austin, Texas).
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