[Moses said,] “Now therefore, I pray, if I have found grace in Your sight, show me now Your way, that I may know You and that I may find grace in Your sight.” Exodus 33:13
Moses desired to know God’s ways that he might come to know God and find His grace. How interesting! How significant! What other reason do we need to search out the ways of God?
Our knowing the Father and His Son is eternal life (John 17:3), and therefore one of the primary desires resident in our new hearts (Ezekiel 36:26) – a desire He desires to give us (Psalm 37:4). God wants His children to truly know Him – intimately know Him – and He is working to that end (Philippians 2:13; Luke 12:32).
So, let’s join Him in searching out His way for bearing much fruit.
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. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. John 15:5 and 8
It has been brought to my attention that one may so desire to bear much fruit that fruit bearing becomes their primary focus. Of course, this is putting the end at the beginning. Upon further examination, I discovered some faulty thinking, that the production of more fruit will improve my abiding in the vine.
I know; it is weird. And probably the vestiges of carnal works and performance-oriented thinking. Thankfully, the solution does not require in-depth psychoanalysis, because who wants to go there? As children of God, and by the Spirit, we can put that thinking to death and focus our attention on God’s way for bearing much fruit.
He Who Abides
The sole requirement for bearing much fruit is abiding in Christ. As Jesus has promised, “He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit.” So, what does it mean to abide, and how do we get there?
Abide (menō): to remain; in reference to place, to sojourn, tarry, not to depart (to continue to be present, to be held, kept, continually); in reference to time, to continue to be, not to perish, to last, endure (of persons, to survive, live); in reference to state or condition, to remain as one, not to become another or different; to wait for, or await one. Outline of Biblical Usage‚ BlueLetterBible.com
Notice the meaning of abide extends beyond place and time to a person’s state of being. It also includes “to wait for, or await one.” There is more here than being close to, or influenced by, Jesus. Indeed, God’s purpose for abiding is one of the most significant and empowering mysteries of His kingdom.
What is this “Fruit”?
While the fruit should not be our focus, it will help us to consider what God desires for us to bear. Some believe the fruit of John 15 is the fruit of the Spirit, listed in Galatians 5:22-23.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
Others contend that “fruit” is the good works God created for us to walk in for His glory.
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
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16
Personally, I believe “fruit” is a supernatural combination of the two: the manifestation of the fruit of the Spirit in the good works we walk in for God’s glory. In every case, one thing is clear: bearing much fruit is a big deal in the Kingdom of God – “Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away… (John 15:2)”, and “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire (Matthew 7:19).”
Keys to Abiding in the Vine
Now that we understand the gravity of abiding in Christ, let us turn our attention to the ways God has given us for abiding in His Son, Jesus Christ. These are listed not so much in the order of their importance (necessarily), but in the order we are encouraged to pursue them. God’s ways are often a process.
As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 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. John 15:9-10
Abiding in Christ is a matter of intimate relationship (i.e., knowing). The importance intimacy with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit cannot be overstated. The following quotes from A. W. Tozer and Oswald Chambers best explains what we are talking about.
Let a Christian insist upon rising above the poor average of current religious experience and he will soon come up against the need to know God Himself as the ultimate goal of all Christian doctrine. To know God well he must think on Him unceasingly. A. W. Tozer, That Incredible Christian, 135.
Friendship is rare on earth. It means identity in thought and heart and spirit. The whole discipline of life is to enable us to enter into this closest relationship with Jesus Christ. It is a joy to Jesus when a disciple takes time to step more intimately with him. Fruit bearing is always mentioned as the manifestation of an intimate union with Jesus Christ. Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, January 7th entry.
To know God well we must think on Him unceasingly; the whole discipline of life is to abide in Jesus Christ, that we might bear much fruit. A high calling indeed, and the calling of every follower of our Master and Lord.
Just to be clear: Knowing precedes everything, including loving. You cannot intimately love anyone you do not know. Now, it is important to recognize this knowing and loving is progressive – the more we know a person, the more capable we are to love them. In the case of God and His Son, it is also true: the more we know Them, the more empowered we are to love Them, the Spirit, and everyone else.
Knowing God More
There are several additional keys to abiding in Christ which we will cover in Part 2. For now, consider and apply as appropriate the following ways for knowing the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
When studying the Scriptures, listening for God’s voice, or hearing/reading the truth from someone else, we should deliberately ask, “What does this say about God?” As best as we can, endeavor to factor our everything else – particularly what it means about and/or for us.
In addition to study, there are several spiritual disciplines that enable and encourage our focus on the LORD: solitude, silence, fasting, worship, and the right kind of prayer. In a book easy to recommend, Dallas Willard explains each of these in The Spirit of the Disciplines (1988, HarperCollins).
Finally, as we are going about our day, meeting people and getting things done, we can ask some God-focusing questions:
- Father God, what are You doing in this place or situation?
- Lord Jesus, what are Your interests in this person or activity?
- Holy Spirit, what is Your counsel (or what are You trying to teach me) here?
As you prayerfully consider which of these ways to apply to your faith walk, remember: God has given us grace for everything He requires and desires. These are not assignments/responsibilities as much as they are opportunities – opportunities to know our loving Father, good King, and wise Teacher. Who could possibly choose to neglect so great an opportunity.
God bless you with grace and courage for the abiding life, that you would see the glory of His good works and the fruit of the Spirit manifested through you and those entrusted to your care and responsibility.
Have a strong day in the Lord,
Rob
#iamjustthepen