Bearing the Fruit

(Notes from the sermon shared on Feb 23, 2009 by Bro. Karunakaran)

The Lord God has set us apart, by redeeming us through the blood of Jesus Christ, so that we may belong to Christ, just as Christ belongs to him (Isaiah 43:1, Acts 4:12, 1 Cor 3:23). To belong to Christ means to be more than being called a Christian – it calls for a closer and deeper relationship with Jesus Christ. Now, Paul writes in his letter to the Romans, in 7:4: “My brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ... that we should bring forth fruit unto God.”Also, king Solomon puts it plain: “Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof” (Pro 27:18).

So that we may bear fruit, for whosoever has believed in the name of Jesus; to those who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit, God has promised that there is therefore now no condemnation. He has also made us free from the law of the flesh and set us free by the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus (Rom 8:1-2). A closer look at Job’s life teaches us how God puts a hedge around us so that we are protected in His grace, so much so, that Satan cannot touch us without his permission. (Job 2:3-6).

An incident in the life of Jesus (Matt 21:18-19) shows how Jesus was looking for fruit on a fig tree, but it had none though it was lush green with leaves. Later, Jesus cursed the tree and it immediately withered. Many Christians, too perhaps are lush with leaves by being busy in many Christian and Church activities, but perhaps, if Jesus has to get closer and look for fruit, there may be none. Here’s why we may be hindered in bearing fruit for Jesus, and how the word of God teaches us to overcome them:

• Doing things on your own (Luke 5:4-7)— Here’s Simon Peter who had called it a day after no catch of fish. When Jesus asked him to launch their nets, with a sigh of frustration replies “We have toiled all night, and have taken nothing”. But at the obedience of that one word to the Lord, they had such a great catch that their nets began to brake.
  

• Renew your minds (Rom 12:2)— Paul understood that one’s salvation had to be preserved, and each of us needs to present ourselves to a reasonable service which is to present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Therefore, Paul calls for renewing of mind so that we do not seek conformity to this world.
  

• When the worries of life bog you down (Matt 13:22)— Jesus explains to us through the parable of sower, that “the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.”But we need to overcome the cares of this world, because Jesus also prayed for us “Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are” (John 17:6-26). We need not fear, because we’re kept under the banner of the name of Jesus Christ.
  

• We forego opportunities that God brings our way (Luke 19:14-26)— God has given each of us the measure of faith (Rom 12:3), and expects us to put them to profitable use. As in the parable of ten minas, on his return, He will surely ask for an account of what fruit have we brought forth. As Paul writes to Timothy (2 Tim 4:2),”be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine,” it calls on us to be ever-ready all the time to make the best of the opportunities He brings on our way.
  

• Strong winds shake off the fruit (Rev 6:30)— The verse emphatically puts across that we may be bearing fruit, but when they’re ripe, sudden situations may arise which shake up our faith and steal away the fruit from us. But, God has through the lives of His faithfulness demonstrated to us how he blesses with more if we stand strong in Him. I Sam 30:6-9 illustrates a situation in the life of King David, where he was greatly distressed, however, it is written ‘David encouraged himself in the LORD his God’. Reading further through the passage, it leads us to praise God as we find that David recovered all that he’s lost.

(All Bible verses quoted as in the King James Version)