Kingdom Living Produces Fruit

 

Kingdom Living produces fruit — The fruit is for others

 

You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you and I have appointed you [I have planted you], that you might go and bear fruit and keep on bearing, and that your fruit may be lasting [that it may remain, abide], so that whatever you ask the Father in My Name [as presenting all that I AM], He may give it to you. – John 15:16

 

The vinedresser, farmer, gardener (God) chose you. HE intentionally planted you. HE has known you from the beginning of time. HE planted you in HIS vineyard to produce fruit which will last. HE prunes you because HE loves you. HIS desire is for you to produce more fruit. The fruit of love, endurance, joy, faithfulness, gentleness, goodness, kindness and peace can only be produced by being connected to the vine. Apart from the vine the branch can do nothing.

Leaves are pretty; they are green and colorful but are not productive if they do not produce fruit. Pretty leaves are worthless, fruitless, burned and thrown away. God wants HIS children to produce fruit. Are you just a pretty leaf or are you producing fruit?

The same sap which runs through the vine runs through the branches. Just as no branch can bear fruit of itself without abiding in (being vitally united to) the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you abide in Christ Jesus. To abide is to be connected to the sap of the Word of God and be controlled by the Holy Spirit living in you. God’s character is living in HIS offspring, HIS children those who have been redeemed and restored into HIS righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

The vine’s production is measured by the fruit. Pruning is a time to rejoice in the expectation of another harvest or season of abundant crop. Your fruit (the vine’s fruit) is for others, not for yourself. The love, gentleness, peace, joy, kindness, goodness and endurance is not for you. The fruit you produce by being connected to the vine is intended for others. The Holy Spirit anointing living in you shines a radiant light of love, peace and joy which others witness.

When you are squeezed what comes out – love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, faithfulness, goodness, kindness and endurance? Or anger, envy, revenge, excuses, greed, selfishness and self-indulgence?

It is the vine which produces the fruit, not the branch. You are a reflection of the vine (Holy Spirit). Stay connected in the Holy Spirit/vine so the fruit of God’s love will be reflected through you to others.

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