Your 24/7 Companion – Day 10
In Him, Out of You … Fruit
Um(Imi)bhalo weBhayibheli
NgokukaLuka 8
NgokukaJohane 15
To bear fruit only once or every now and again is not an option for the believer, if he abides in Christ and his word. No, the expectation is, “It (the seed) came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown” (Luke 8:8) and “… those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.” (Luke 8:15)
In the parable of the seed that fell on the ground (Luke 8:4-15), Jesus gives the reasons why some believers do not persevere in bearing fruit. Some people cannot bear fruit because they hear the word, then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. Another group receives the word and believes for a while, but because they have no root, they fall away in times of testing or temptation. Then, there are those with sprouts of fruit visible, but are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures.
How does someone who bears fruit with perseverance look? He hears, accepts and retains the word from a receptive, noble and good heart. He does what Jesus expects from his disciples, namely, to keep his commandments, thus abiding in his love and as a branch, stays part of the vine. Bearing fruit is not optional. Jesus is quite clear on this, “I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should remain” (John 15:16). However, keep in mind that bearing fruit is not to make you look good, but to glorify God.
The key for bearing ripe and continuous fruit is perseverance. When life throws us a curve ball, we struggle to hold on to the promises in the word. We question God and his ability to help us, and if he lingers a little too long to our liking, we merely throw in the towel. Even in good times, we should take care that our fruit does not shrivel, because it’s usually then that we tend to think our abilities brought us success. Perseverance needs patience and faith, that despite circumstances, God IS and he CAN. Perseverance says that I will bear fruit in prosperous and trying times.
