By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. – John 15:8
If you follow Jesus, your life will bear fruit and the Father is glorified. This is the natural consequence. But what fruit? Surely not bananas or apples. There are three kinds of Biblical fruit. First, the fruit of your character. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23). To determine the extent to which you are truly following Christ and yielding to the Holy Spirit, take a look at your character growth.
The second type of fruit is good works. These may include giving food and clothing to the poor, helping those who are in need, offering encouragement, or simply considering others as important as yourself. As the apostle James indicated, the good you do shows your faith (2:18). And Paul wrote, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).
The third type of fruit is the lives you touch with your witness. Your testimony, lifestyle, and loving behavior have the potential to cause others to turn to Jesus. “And he said to them, ‘Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation’” (Mark 16:15).
As you pray today, ask the Lord to continue to work in your life so that these three types of fruit increase and that He be glorified. Pray that believers in the United States live in such a way that the fruit of their character, action, and influence will persuade citizens and government officials to turn to Christ.
Today’s Verse: John 15:8
By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: John 15:1-11
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 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 more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 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. 5 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. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
