Bearing Branches

Last week we mentioned that followers of Jesus imitate His love.  Being a disciple of Jesus also means that we imitate His ministry (John 15:8).  Christians have been called to bear fruit.  You know a tree by the fruit that is produces.  There are some branches that don’t bear fruit, but are barren.  Bare branches consume the nutrients of the vine, but do not bear any fruit.  A person who is bare is a consumer of religion but is not consumed with a zeal for God.  A person who is a bare branch is simply looking for a church that is in the business of meeting their needs and makes them feel good.  Bare branches are not interested in being a disciple of Christ.  They would rather just be a fan sitting in the stands. 

However, branches that bear fruit are different.  Bearing branches see themselves as the hands and feet of Christ.   They are involved in ministry.  Instead of criticizing and complaining, bearing branches work to make things better.  A Christian tree produces fruit that looks like Christ.

​Christ cared about those who were hungry, sick, experienced injustice, children and widows.  He cared about sinners who were looking to turn their lives around in a positive direction.  Our fruit is evidence of our connection with Christ.   The fruit that we bear is evidence of the type of tree that we are.  Whatever evidence there is that Christ is in our lives, that’s our fruit.  When we share the good news that the Lamb of God who died to save us is the Good Shepherd who lives to lead us, we are bearing fruit.  As we grow in holiness and righteousness, we are bearing fruit.  When we demonstrate pure religion by visiting the orphans and widows in their affliction and keeping ourselves unspotted from the world, we are bearing fruit.  When it’s all said and done, we bear fruit when whatever we do in word or deed, we do it all in the name of the Lord, giving thanks to God the Father through Him!  We have been called to bear fruit!