“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5
The Christian life is not meant to be experienced on human power. Without the power of God within a believer’s life, there would be no growth. The goal of sanctification is to grow in becoming more like Christ each day. Abiding in Christ is to simply find rest and relationship intimately with Him. Fruit will begin to grow in a trusting relationship with Christ. Believers can not grow on their own power just as a tree cannot bear fruit without being rooted in good soil. Good soil is what builds a strong tree. Many times, leaders try to fertilize bad soil, expecting to receive a good harvest. The true believer brings forth the fruit of a new lifestyle, a lifestyle that is pleasing in the sight of God.
Warren Wiersbe says, “Hard hearts must be 'plowed up' before they can receive the seed, and this can be a painful experience.”
God Produces:
Fruits of the spirit. "But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." Galatians 5:22-23
Fruits of repentance. "Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God." Matthew 3:8
Fruits of gratitude. "Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name." Hebrews 13:15
God uses each day to work in and through us to build godly character in our lives. The good soil produces fruit that will remain and multiply. The grace of God is with believers every day to empower us to move beyond mediocrity and towards godly character. Abiding in Christ is an ongoing process of releasing the rights of living our own way and obeying God’s way. The fruit is not for one’s own glory but is to reflect glory to God (Matthew 5:13).
People are looking for authentic followers of Christ. Abiding in Christ builds healthy fruit that remains and brings glory to God.