Bearing fruit has been the topic of many teachings that I have heard or read throughout my Christian life, and I am reasonably familiar with the concept. On the day of this entry I immediately questioned how John 15:2 applied to my life.

 “I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. ² He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and He prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more (John 15: 1-2 ).

From the journal . . . January 2015

John 15   The parable of the vine and the gardener.  Jesus is the vine. God is the gardener.  We are the branches.  If we don’t bear fruit, He, the gardener, cuts us off.  Lord, I hope I am bearing fruit.  The fruit I want is that others would love You more.  Is that the fruit I bear?  Do I bear fruit that pleases You?

And The Lord Said:

If you have love for people.  That is fruit.  If you have faith in Me. That is fruit.  If you have kindness and a desire to follow Me.  If you yearn for Me and you fear Me.  This fruit pleases Me and when you step out in faith it pleases Me.  Don’t shrink back!  You have nothing to lose and nothing to fear.

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things (Galatians 5:22-23)!

But my righteous one shall live by faith:
And if he shrink back, my soul hath no pleasure in him (Hebrews 10:38).

But Lord, I do fear doing it wrong.

So how will you learn to do it right?  You lack courage but I have it for you.

Awesome, faithful Lord!  I want to follow You all my days!

I think we all want to please the Lord and long to hear Him say at the end, “Well Done, Good and Faithful Servant!  Enter into the Joy of the Lord!” 

“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness       (Matthew 25:21).

When we have an idea of a loving thing to do, but we are afraid to do it, we need to be courageous!   He has already provided everything we need!   

Seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence (2 Peter I:3).