FRUIT BEARING IS ESSENTIAL

John 15:1-16

Verse 1:

Jesus’ declaration of himself as the true vine was directed at the Jews who believed themselves to be the vineyard of God. (Ps. 80:8-13; Is. 5:1-7). But though God had planted Israel, the vineyard had grown wild and become degenerate. God had expected Israel to bear the good fruit of judgment and righteousness, but rather Israel oppressed the poor and fatherless, grumbled and cried in distress. Jesus declared that rather than being this wild and degenerate vine, He was the true vine; planted by God the vine dresser. Israel was a corrupted , degenerate vine. If Jews wanted to be a part of the vineyard of God, it would now require that they have personal relationship with Jesus.

Verse 2-3:

Every branch in me refers to every believer. Every branch is to bear fruit or it will be cut away from the vine. This often brings about a sense of uneasiness especially where new believers are concerned. A better understanding of the relationship between the vine and vine dresser is needed. Though the vine grew readily in Palestine, it required much attention in order to be fruitful. The soil had to be carefully prepared, stones removed and the ground broken up. Each year the young vines were cut back (pruned) drastically in order to develop and conserve its life and energy. In fact the young vines were not allowed to bear fruit for the first three years. When the vine is matured it is pruned it is still pruned at least once a year. The vine had two kinds of branches; ones that bear fruit and one that do not. The branches that bore no fruit were eventually cut completely back so that they would not drain away any of the plant’s strength. Though pruning was time consuming and tedious work, and the vine did not look as bushy after pruning, the vine dresser knew that the vine could not produce the crop of which it was capable without drastic pruning.

So it is with the believer. The new believer is allowed a growing period before being expected to productive (I Peter 2:1-2). However, there come a point where one is expected to move from infancy to adulthood and to reproduce fruit (Heb 5:11-14). The branches that do not bear fruit at the appropriate time are cut off because they are dead. It would thus be a waist of time energy and resources for the vine to continue to try to nourish that which was already dead. Likewise the believer who does not bear fruit at the appropriate time will be cut from the body because he is dead. For only the dead will bear no fruit. Fruit bearing is essential for continued relationship with the vine.

Verses 4-5

In the natural, in order for a grape vine or a fruit tree of any type to continue to produce fruit it must constantly received proper nourishment and care. Even a matured tree which has borne plentiful over the years cannot go for extended periods of time without proper care, and still continue to produce in abundance. Likewise, even the matured Christian must continue in relationship with Christ. This does not just mean that one needs to continue to be saved in order to bear fruit. It means much more than that. The branch does not produce fruit simply because it is attached to the vine. It produces fruit because it draws from the vine. The branch draws it’s life from the vine. The branch has no roots of its own, so it must rely on the vine to supply all of its needs. It is the job of the vine to receive from the earth and, by the sap it produces, supply to the branches. Likewise has humans we can not supply our own needs. It is the job of Jesus to receive from the Father, and by the Holy Spirit deliver to us, all that we need to sustain life and produce fruit (John 16:12-15).

Jesus, our vine has already proven beyond a shadow of a doubt his willingness to sacrifice all so that the branch may life and be productive. However, the branch also has responsibility. It must stay connected and continue to draw life from the vine. If the branch develops any problem that might result in a blockage between it and the vine, the branch will be mal-nourished and under productive (Heb. 12:1-4; James 4:8).

Note the progressive stages of fruit bearing from verse 2 to verse 5. Being connected should bring about fruit at the proper time. Purging (or sanctification) brings about more fruit. Continued abiding in Christ (intimate relationship with him) will bring about much fruit.

Verse 6

The wood associated with the branches that were cut from the vine had no value. It was too soft to be used for building and burned to fast to really be considered a source of heat. It was simply destroyed.

Verses 7-8

If the branch continues to stay connected to the vine and to allow the vine to pour into it, the branch can have all that it needs to sustain life and to produce fruit in abundance. However, does continual abiding in the vine allow the branch whatever it needs to smell like a rose or to fly like a bird. No the branch is assured of having all that it needs to meet its designed purpose. In other words we must understand verse seven in the context in which it was spoken. As the branch abides in the vine, it keeps asking for sap, the life element it needs to fulfill its purpose. God will provide us with all that we need to bear fruit, because in fruit bearing God is glorified.

When we consider a fruit tree, we might notice that the fruit of the tree serves three purposes. The fruit is used for food. It beautifies the tree, and it is the means by which the tree reproduces. When we look at these three purposes one is directed outward (food to man), one is directed inward (beautify itself) and one acts in obedience to God (produce after its own kind).

Gen. 3:6 - Even in the fall of Adam and Eve three characteristics of the tree are cited. It was good for food for man, beautiful to look at, and was to make man more like God (wise).

Gal 5:22-23 - It is important to note that the fruit described here is not produced by the believer, but rather it is produced by the Holy Spirit as the believer walks with Him. This is one fruit (implying unity) with nine different qualities. These qualities can be broken up into 3 groups of 3. The first 3 qualities are attitudes or habits of the mind that find their source in God.

Love (agape) - God is love and loves the world (I John 4:8, John 3:16. The same love that drove God to sacrifice His only begotten son abides in the believer (Rom. 5:5). It is this same love that caused Jesus to lay down his life for us (John 15:13, Eph 5:2) This same self-sacrificing love is what the Spirit wants to manifest in us (2 Cor. 3:18). What is the fruit or evidence that the Holy Spirit is manifesting love in our lives? (John 14:15; Luke 6:46) Love for God. (Matt 5:43-48, Matt. 7:21, I John 3:17-18; I Pet. 4:8) Love for others. (Eph. 5:28-29) Love for self. Our love should be real (Rom. 12:9-10), work no ill (Rom. 13:9-10) and be sacrificial (2 Cor. 12:14-15).

Joy (chara) - a deep and abiding inner rejoicing associated with those who abide in Christ (John 15:11, John 17:13). What was Jesus’s joy? (Heb. 12 1-2, John 4:34). How then can we have true joy? (Phil 2:5-18) We must have the same mind or attitude as Christ. Nothing is more important than doing the will of God and accomplishing the mission that he has called us to. Joy does not depend on circumstances. It rest in God’s sovereign control of all things (Acts 20:22-24). Joy is found in trusting in God (Ps. 5:11, Ps. 28:7), and in being content with God (Ps. 16:5-11). Our Joy comes from God (Eccl. 2:26) and is centered around God. No man can take our joy when we are focused on God (John 16:19-24). Evidence that the Spirit of God is working joy in us is seen in our strength to endure (Neh. 8:10-11); in the way we endure persecution and trials (Luke 6:22-23, Acts 13:50-52, I Pet. 4:12-13).

Peace (eirene)- Peace is an inner quietness even in the face of adverse circumstances. This peace is given by God (2 Thess. 3:16) and when God brings this quietness no-one can stir it (Job 34:29). The peace of God eludes our understanding (Phil. 4:7). This peace is found in knowing God (Job 22;21, Ps. 4:8), fearing God (Ps. 25:12); being humble (Ps. 37:11) and living upright (Ps. 37:37). Inner peace is available to all believers because Jesus has given us his peace (John 14:27), but even in the face of tribulations we must choose not to be troubled (John 16:33) and to let God’s peace govern over our hearts (Col. 3:15). We will successfully bear the fruit of peace when we put all of our trust in God and focus only on him (Is. 26:3); when we obey God’s Word (Ps. 119:165, Phil. 4:9) and when we are spiritually minded (Rom. 8:6).

These three fruit of the Spirit are directed at or centered around God. Other fruit that fall in this category are praise (Heb. 13:15) and obeying the truth (Eph 5:9).

In studying the fruit of the Spirit, we have looked at love, joy and peace. The next three qualities, long-suffering, gentleness and goodness are qualities that are directed at others.

Long-suffering - (makrothymia) Patient endurance; to bear long with the frailties, offenses, injuries, and provocation of others, without murmuring, repining (complaining or fretting), or resentment. Generally speaking this word is not used of patience in regard to things or events but in regard to people. It is the quality of self-restraint or forbearance in the face of provocation, entertaining no thoughts of retaliation even when wrongfully treated. It is commonly used in the New Testament of the attitude of God towards man (Rom. 2:4; Rom. 9:19-24; 1 Tim. 1:16). After describing himself as the worst of sinners, Paul says that if God was merciful and long-suffering enough to save him, then He would save anyone. Paul is our example to prove that God will save anyone. God did not seek to retaliate against Paul, but rather through long-suffering drew Paul to repentance.

In our dealings with our fellow men we should reproduce this forbearing, forgiving, patient attitude that God as shown to us (Eph. 4:1; Col. 3:12-13; 2 Tim. 4:2).

Gentleness - Chrestotes - a disposition to be gentle, soft-spoken, easy, kind, even-tempered, cultured, and refined in character and conduct; kindness; goodness of heart; benevolence in action (Luke 6:35-36 [read notes i and j from Dakes]). God’s kindness towards us is demonstrates in His grace that saves us (Eph. 2:4-7). This same Greek word is used in Matt. 11:30 (Christ is saying here that His yoke is easy to bear, it will not chafe the neck or rub you the wrong way). As Christians we are commanded to show this kindness to one another (Eph. 4:32; 2 Cor. 6:3-10; 2Tim. 2:24; Titus 3:1; James 3:17).

Goodness - Agathosune - The state of being good, kind, virtuous, benevolent, generous, and God-like in life and conduct. Goodness may be thought of as both an uprightness of soul and as an action reaching out to others to do good even when it is not deserved. The Greek words for gentleness and goodness are very similar in meaning. Jerome (great Bible scholar) distinguishes between chrestotes and agathosune by saying the former describes the kindlier aspects of goodness, the latter includes also the sterner qualities by which doing good to others is not necessarily by gentile means. To demonstrate the difference, he says that Jesus showed goodness (agathosune) in Matt. 21:12 -13, and Matt. 23:13-29, but he showed gentleness (chrestotes) in Luke 7:37-50. Thus goodness can carry with is a rebuke or some form of discipline, while gentleness or kindness can only be a generous action to help another. The word agathosune is only used 4 times in the New Testament(Rom. 15:14 - able to encourage or provoke one another to righteous living; Gal. 5:22; Eph. 5:9; 2 Thess. 1:11). 2 Thess. 1:11 should read, “fulfill every desire of goodness”. The pronoun “his” in the King James Version is an interpolation. It is not in the original manuscript. Paul’s prayer is that God will fulfill every desire characterized by goodness.

The final 3 graces guide the general conduct of believers. They are directed more at the character of the believer than at his response to God or to others.

Faith - Pistis - faithfulness, to be trustworthy and reliable (Heb. 10:23; Luke 16:11-12 ). Faithfulness is demonstrated by the ability of God and of others to count on you (Matt 24:45-47). Prov. 28:20 says that a faithful man shall abound with blessings. This characteristic is required in a steward (I Cor 4:2). Ministers of the Gospel are encouraged to pass on that which they have learned to others that they have found to be faithful (2 Tim. 2:2). (1 Tim. 1:12; 3:11; Rev. 17:14)

Meekness - Praotes -Denotes gentle, mild, having a soothing disposition, even balanced in tempers and passions, patient in suffering injuries without feeling a spirit of revenge. Jesus describes himself as meek (Matt. 11:29, Matt. 21:5). To be meek is to be submissive to the will of God, to be teachable or not to proud to learn, to be considerate of others, and to be gentle (Matt. 5:5; I Cor. 4:21; James 1:21; Eph. 4:2, 2 Tim 2:25). We often think of meekness as being timid or mousy. But meekness is displayed by the person who has a balance between excessive anger and excessive angerlessness. It shown in the ability of a person to be angry at the right time and never at the wrong time. (Prov. 25:28) Meekness is to be the ornament of the Christian spirit (I Pet. 3:3-4).

Temperance - enkrateia - self-control. (I Cor. 9:24-27). The spirit of man must be rebirthed. The soul (or mind) of man must be renewed. But the body of man is neither rebirthed or renewed. It must be controlled. God instilled in mankind certain natural desires and needs. These are inherent in us and are not subject to change. Though these desires were given to us by God and are in themselves good, we have an enemy who seeks at every opportunity to corrupt these desires and cause us to seek ungodly ways of fulfilling are desires and meeting our needs. These same good, God given desires can be abused and used against us by our enemy. Thus we cannot afford to be controlled by our desires, but must seek to control them.

James 1:13-16 - The word for lust is epithumia which means to have a strong desire of any kind. Epithumia is not necessarily bad and is some places is translated as desire (Luke 22:15, Phil. 1:23, I Thess. 2:17). However, lust is evil when it is inconsistent with the God’s will (Eph. 4:22, 2 Tim.2:22, I Pet.2:10, 4:2-3, II Pet.2:18, Jude 16-18).

I Thess. 4:3-8 - Paul’s point here is to exhort the readers to sexual purity. We are to abstain from sexual immorality by exercising self-control. The word “porneia” translated here as fornication means sexual immorality and is a broad word that encompasses many practices. The Christian is to avoid and abstain from any and every form of sexual practice that lies outside of the revealed will of God. This includes adultery, premarital and extramarital sexual acts, homosexuality (masturbation), bestiality, etc. In verse 4 Paul emphasizes that one learns how to avoid sexual immorality by learning how to control his own body with its passions. He did not specify how to control one’s passions. But the Christian should choose a method that is both holy and honorable. That means that the method taken as an alternative to sexual immorality must be a behavior that is set apart to the Lord and recognized by others as worthy of respect (I Cor. 6:13-10). In verse 6, Paul warns us about involving others in sexual immorality. Such immorality wrongs the partner by involving him/her in behavior contrary to God’s will and therefore under his judgment. The initiator of the act takes advantage of his partner by fanning the fire of passion till self-control is lost. A Christian living a sexual immoral life frustrates the call of God on his life. A holy life demonstrates God’s supernatural power at work, allowing man to control natural desires and to therefore glorify God (2 Tim 3:1-5, 14). If we turn away from living a sexual pure life, we turn away from God, who has through His Spirit given us the power to live a holy life.

Acts 24:25 - Paul in preaching to Felix told him of God’s righteous requirements. Though God has given to mankind certain desires, He has also stated the right environment under which those desires can be satisfied. Man’s response to God’s righteous requirements must be to exercise temperance or self-control, so that none of our desires control us. Why must we exercise self-control? Because judgment day is coming (Heb. 13:4, Eph. 5:1-12).

2 Peter 1:5-6 - Once we receive and act on our faith in Jesus we are to begin to walk in moral excellence, gaining spiritual knowledge and using that knowledge to control our flesh. Exercising self-control we are to be patient and reverence God through righteous living, showing mercy and kindness to others, and acting in loving.