Skip to main content

Bearing Fruit Of The Kingdom

I exist the vine, you the branches, the one abiding in me and I also in him bears much fruit, because apart from me powerless to do anything.*  

The gospel is proclaimed and bears fruit, "of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel, which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bearing fruit,"* But what is this fruit of the gospel? The fruit deals with the idea of consecration, in which we present the body a living sacrifice unto holiness. This is why Christ came with a ministry of reconciliation, "in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven."* The gospel bears fruit of growth, of maturity, and we see a warning here, if we abide, continue, not shifting from faith. 

In no way, all the ones born of God yields sin, because God's seed abides in him and not sinning because born of God.*

The word yields, poieō, in this verse is often translated as to do, make, but this word also means to bear, as trees, yield, produce. To do, make, yield, bear are related to the concept of growth and the parable of sowing. This concept of yielding fits with scripture in regards to bearing fruit. Jesus said in context of recognizing falsehood in regards to those who claim to be mature in Christ, "by their fruit you shall know them, gathering grapes from thorn bushes either figs from thistles? In this way all good trees yield beautiful fruit, but bad trees yield evil fruit"* The devil is the father of lies, and he masquerades as light, thus he is master of manipulation, of schemes, deceit, and falsehood. Judge them by their fruit.

All branches in me bearing no fruit he severs off and all bearing fruit pruning so they bear much fruit.*

Can one be a branch connected to the Vine then be removed, cut off, severed from Christ? Other scriptures would lead us to the idea if someone falls away they were never true to begin with. But Jesus says the branch "in me" that bears no fruit will be cut off which implies they were connected. We could take this as implication to Israel of the flesh at the time who rejected Him. This fits with what Paul writes, the natural branches were broken off because of unbelief.* But Paul also writes God was severe to the ones broken off and kind to those connected with the condition of them continuing.*We can debate what this means but really in regards to salvation and making sure of our calling we all have to bear our own load, not resting in good works nor on what a minister says, but in having revelation in knowledge of the truth.

do you not know that the Pharisees were offended hearing what you said, and he answered saying 'every plant whom my heavenly father did not plant will be rooted up...'*

In regards to the branch being cut off possibly Jesus is referring to the Jews who rejected Him. They claimed to follow Moses but did not obey his words either, breaking the commandment of God for traditions and doctrines of men, they were hypocrites who nullified the word of God for their traditions.* They lived to laws and regulations, they tithed ten percent of everything but did not bear fruit worthy of God. Jesus said to them, "the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits."* Jesus, the Son of God came among men and they received Him not, surely they are branches that do not abide in the vine. But then Jesus said those "in me" that do not bear fruit will be cut off. Paul writes the natural branches, the Jew of the flesh are broken off because of unbelief, it is severity for them but kindness for us, if we continue in His kindness.* Paul also writes of growth being the primary purpose of the church and how there needs to be an earnest focus on it in the church.* If one soaks up the rain, the things pertaining to children like enlightenment in word and being partakers of the Spirit, but do not yield a worthy crop but only thorns and thistles, what use is it, but cursed and fated to be burned.*
  
If anyone doesn't abide in me, like as a branch thrown away and withered; gathered and thrown into the fire and burned.*

Traditions of serving, tithing, and giving nullify the word of God when they take the place of abiding and growth. The parable of sowing states only the mature plants bear fruit, some thirty, sixty, and hundred fold. Jesus said the branch not abiding is severed or cut off, which are very strong words. John writes those born of God do not sin.* Strong words from John also. Surely, there is a line drawn in the sand when it is time to grow up. God's seed planted in them, grows up to bear fruit, they are born of God. What fruit do they bear? fruit of righteousness. We have more insight into what it means to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, as it is about growth, bearing fruit of righteousness. Surely we can't escape these words because we tithe and offer God money when God desires for us to bear fruit worthy of repentance. Paul writes those who were enlightened in the Spirit who went back to works of the law, like the church of Galatia, sever themselves from Christ, again strong words.

In this way the children of God and the children of the devil are revealed, all the ones not yielding righteousness exist not from God and the one not loving his brother.*

John draws a line in the sand, over here are God's children, over there the devil's children, which side are you own? There is a time to be a child and a time to grow up. If this verse said "all the ones not sinning" then we would need to distinguish children based upon not sinning once nor twice nor seventy times seven but not at all. But this doesn't fit with scripture. Jesus said the ones bearing fruit have branches that are pruned, meaning there are still areas we need to bear fruit. Paul writes, not that he had achieved perfection but he presses on to the mark of the high calling of God. I am either called to run this race or not, if I fall back maybe I am not called or maybe the test were I did not endure proved I am still a child? It is a blessing to be established, rooted and grounded, this one will endure the weeds to bear fruit. There is a difference between imperfection and hypocrisy, which is putting on a mask pretending. John writes that Jesus is our advocate when we do sin and if we say we are without sin we do not practice truth. So we see, poieō, as "doing" in this verse doesn't make sense but it does as yielding, within the concept of growth, of bringing forth fruit. The true child of God like a mustard seed will grow up and tower above the weeds, the deceit of riches, cares of this world, and persecution.

let both grow together until harvest and at harvest time tell the harvesters, first gather the weeds and bind them into bundles to be burned, then gather the wheat into my barn.*

There is a gathering and a sifting in the end times, the goats from the sheep, the grapes from the thorns. But the scriptures speak of a process of growth in which there is a fruit bearing season. A child knows the father and that his sins have been forgiven but a young person abides and since he abides in the vine he bears fruit, he overcomes the weeds. Jesus said we are to judge them by their fruit in regards to those who claim to be mature.* The teacher has nurtured the children and now when they should be eating meat he has to again feed them milk. In the end times the scriptures say they will raise up leaders that tickle their ears. I believe a great factor in determination of maturity, of enduring and overcoming is that children have been rooted and grounded, firmly established as a child. We are seeing more and more children who grew up in church fall away. Does this speak of a root problem or of a branch that is cut off? Obedience is fruit of the mature, it is a blessing to have a renewed mind that accepts the will of God as pleasing and perfect. 

you chose not, you did not choose me, but I chose you and set you so that you go and bear fruit and that your fruit abides...*

God chose me and set me, the word set meaning to place, set, lay, design, appoint, assign.* This speaks of being His workmanship prepared beforehand to walk in good works or to bear fruit. This is the difference of doing and being, being is yielding fruit. I am chosen to grow up to bear fruit, becoming like as the image of Jesus. We see there is a growth process, only a mature plant bears fruit and without deep roots a plant will not endure the weeds planted to choke him out. How can one judge the true seedling from what the devil planted among them? the wheat from the tare? judge them by their fruit, at fruit bearing season. There is a time to be a child and a time to grow up. And what if the plant doesn't bear fruit is it thrown into the fire? Jesus said every branch "in me" that doesn't bear fruit is cut off. It is like the servant in the parable of the talents who hides what he has received, who was given a measure but it did not increase. Are all men given a measure of faith and held accountable? Can someone lose their salvation, be a branch that is cut off? I will not say. I have experienced the choking of the weeds, and have seen the line in the sand, and I am blessed, having been established in the things beneficial to growth, deeply rooted, so to endure and bear fruit worthy of the kingdom of God. The praise of His glory.











Popular Posts

The Tripartite Nature of Humanity: Spirit, Soul, and Body

The Tripartite Nature of Humanity: Spirit, Soul, and Body in Biblical Understanding The human being, as depicted in the Bible, is a multifaceted creation, often understood through the distinct yet interconnected components of spirit, soul, and body. While some theological perspectives lean towards a bipartite view (soul and body), which we do see in the Old Testament, a careful examination of the New Testament scripture reveals a compelling case for a tripartite understanding, where each is divided into or composed of three parts. Let’s explore the biblical distinction between spirit, soul, and body. The Body: Our Earthly Vessel The body is the physical form that interacts with the material world. From the very beginning, Genesis 2:7 states, " Then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being ." This verse clearly establishes the body's origin from the earth, emphasizing its connec...

Blessed Are The Forgiven

Blessed! the one whose lawless deeds are forgiven and the one whose sins are covered over, blessed is the man whom sin, the Lord will not consider . * Paul writes David foresaw and spoke " blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered . *  Blessed, is the one whom sin is not considered, this word considered  means "to credit, count, reckon, to set down as a matter of account; regard, think, consider." This blessing comes through faith and according to grace, " also David speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom God considers righteousness apart from works ." *  The word for  lawless deeds speaks of the violation of the Law and the word for sin  speaks of missing the mark of God's righteousness. Blessed are those who (by faith in Christ according to grace) have been forgiven. In Him receiving the redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of trespasses according to the riches of His grace . * This fundamental ...

Lord, Stand By Me

"... present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness ." 1 This word for present means "I bring, present, come up to and stand by," it is parístēmi (from pará, "from close-beside" and hístēmi, "to stand") – properly, stand close beside, i.e. ready to present (exhibit). I pray Lord stand by me which expresses that I put my trust in Him, or I come up to and stand by Him. We use phrases like surrendering or bowing at the cross to explain such a moment, surely it is a coming to the end of ourselves and it is desirable that I find His will acceptable, but it is important to understand that it is about trust, not my will power, the key is that it is in Christ. The terminology the scriptures use is "present yourselves to God," or come up to and stand by and walk with Him. "... present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God--this...

The New Living Way

The New Living Way "... Now, at the present released from the Law, having died in that which held us captive, so that we serve in newness of Spirit and not the old written code " -- Romans 7:16 Paul states that we are now united to Christ in his death and also raised with him into newness of life. What held them captive was sin but also the Law, it was a guardian until the appointed time God would send a Messiah (see School Master ). Paul uses the metaphor of marriage to describe how we are released from the Law; like a wife whose husband dies, now she is released from the Law and can marry another, so also have we died with Christ and are released from the Law and bound to Christ in a new covenant. The purpose of this is that we live in a new living way of the Spirit and not fleshly through the old written code or Mosaic Law. " So then brothers, you also have died to the Law through the body of Christ to the extent you exist by creation of another, the one raising you f...

Spirit of Life

" Indeed, the law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus liberates from the law of sin and death ." 1 This word for liberates "I free, set free, liberate" is from a root word meaning free, exempt, not bound by an obligation. As partakers of God's divine nature, being born of Spirit, we are no longer obligated to the sinful nature but to righteousness which is God's nature. When we believe we receive the Spirit of promise, a guarantee of our inheritance, a great testimony that we are His children, it is a Spirit of Life. " Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life." 24 The Son came not to condemn the world but to save it. "One trespass   led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. " 6 " He was delivered over to death for our trespasses and wa...

New Testament Growth in Christ: From Foundation to Fullness

  New Testament Growth in Christ: From Foundation to Fullness The New Testament presents a vibrant and multifaceted picture of spiritual growth, not as a static event but as a dynamic, lifelong journey for the believer. This journey, with emphasis on a strong foundation, progresses through a transformative process of maturity forged by endurance, ultimately aiming for the profound goal of experiencing the "fullness of God in Christ." The Foundation: A New Creation The inception of growth in Christ is marked by a radical spiritual new birth, a foundational shift that defines the Christian experience. It is not merely a moral reformation, but a divine act of creation. The apostle Paul declares this truth in 2 Corinthians 5:17 : " Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come ." This new creation is initiated by faith in Jesus Christ, where believers are justified and reconciled to God through His sacrifice. ...

All Who Are Thirsty

“ Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters;  and he who has no money,  come, buy and eat!  Come, buy wine and milk  without money and without price.  Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,  and your labor for that which does not satisfy?  Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good,  and delight yourselves in rich food. .." (Isaiah 55). " Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price ." Buy is defined as to acquire the ownership of by giving an accepted price or consideration therefore; to accept or believe as true .[ 1 ] When we buy something we consider the price that we must pay, we accept this and purchase the thing we have considered worthy of the sacrifice we make in payment. W e can not buy, with money or price, redemption from t his tragic flaw we are born into. However Jesus paid the price for us, so we buy or accept through consideration, the Greek word is  logizomai.[ 2] ...

True Widows: A Biblical Perspective

True Widows: A Biblical Perspective Throughout Scripture, God's compassion for widows is evident. He is portrayed as their defender, provider, and source of justice. The Bible repeatedly calls believers to care for widows, reflecting God's own heart for the vulnerable. However, in his letter to Timothy, the Apostle Paul provides a specific definition of a "true" widow, emphasizing the church's responsibility in supporting those who are genuinely in need. God's Compassion for Widows The Old Testament is rich with passages that reveal God's concern for widows. In Exodus 22:22, God commands, "You shall not afflict any widow or fatherless child." This verse underscores His protective nature, ensuring that widows are not mistreated or neglected. Similarly, Deuteronomy 10:18 declares, "He administers justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the stranger, giving him food and clothing." Here, God is depicted as a just and loving prov...

Called According to His Purpose: A Biblical Examination

  Called According to His Purpose: A Biblical Examination 📖 Introduction The phrase “called according to His purpose” appears in Romans 8:28 (ESV), a foundational verse that reads: “And we know that for those loved of God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.” This statement gives comfort and more—it is a declaration about identity, destiny, and divine intent. To be “called according to His purpose” means participating in God’s sovereign, redemptive plan. God's plan is being manifested through the church through the "new covenant in his blood" as it was established by the death of Jesus. The calling is not arbitrary or based on human merit, but is rooted in God’s purpose, eternal will and love. 🔍 The Nature of the Calling In Scripture, God's calling is effectual—that is, it accomplishes what He intends. Paul writes: "...those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified,...

Putting On the New Self

Putting On the New Self Theme: Spiritual Growth & Identity in Christ Key Scripture: “And to put on the new man, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” — Ephesians 4:24 (ESV) 🕊️ Day’s Reflection The Christian journey is not about becoming a better version of our old selves. It is about walking in The New Living Way , putting on the new man created in the likeness of God. Scripture calls us to put on the new man , and this call is not symbolic or abstract. It is a command grounded in spiritual truth and lived out in daily walking as Christ walked. 📜 Scripture for Meditation 2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV) “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” Ephesians 4:22–24 (ESV) “To put off your old man, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new man, created after the likeness of...