Abiding in Christ to Bear Fruit
Only when I am properly and adequately connected to the vine can I hope to bear lots of good fruit.
"I need to stay closely connected to Jesus." This is a statement I repeat to myself often. Accomplishing this activity every single day is harder than it looks. It's so easy to get distracted during the day with the work that I need to finish, family responsibilities that I need to fulfill, and errands that I need to do. I can literally jam-pack my day from top to bottom with activities and chores. But no matter how valuable these everyday tasks are, I don't consider them to be my most important work. As I often say, staying closely connected to Christ through prayer and meditation is my most important work each and every day. I draw guidance, strength, and power from this relationship I have with Christ.
I fully believe in the principle and promise that Jesus made to his disciples that has been recorded in the book of John: "Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing" (Jn. 15:5 ESV). I want what Jesus promised: I want to bear fruit. And I don't just want to bear a small and meager amount of fruit with my one and only life. I want to bear lots of it. According to the verse, Jesus seems to want the same thing for me too. He wants to see me bear a lot of fruit for His Kingdom. And Jesus gave us the secret to doing so. If I want to bear lots of fruit, there is no other way than to stay closely connected to Jesus (abiding in Him). Only when I am properly and adequately connected to the vine can I hope to bear lots of good fruit.
Every pastor, minister, and church leader I know wants to bear fruit in their work for God. We set out on our pastoral call to change lives, bring the gospel to the lost, care for souls, and see people come into a deep relationship with Christ and serve Him. This kind of work requires guidance and power that's simply beyond human capability. Sure, we might be smart, strategic, and skillful. But these human qualities won't on their own suffice in God's Kingdom. Jesus made it very clear: "Apart from me, you can do nothing." I don't want to end up doing "nothing." I want to contribute fruitfully to God's Kingdom work. If we abide in Jesus, we can do that. He will impart His wisdom upon us and grant us power to do the spiritual work that we've been called to do.
As pastors and ministry leaders, there's no getting around the fact that we need to connect with Jesus every single day. We can't skimp on our prayers, our meditation on Scripture, and our own personal worship to God. These are essential spiritual practices that will help us abide in Christ well. And if we abide in Christ well, we can expect that the fruit we bear will be plentiful and good. It's guaranteed by the Lord Jesus in His Word.
Barnabas the Monastic
Servant of Christ. Husband. Dad. Modern Monastic. I have a wild ambition in life: get as close to the Lord Jesus Christ as I can while on earth. I explore and integrate ancient Christian monk wisdom in modern everyday life. Lives in Canada.
