“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Remain in Me, and I in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself but must remain in the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; the one who remains in Me, and I in him bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in Me, he is thrown away like a branch and dries up; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you remain in Me, and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. Just as the Father has loved Me, I also have loved you; remain in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will remain in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and remain in His love. These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.” John 15:1-11
When God stirs our heart and asks us to do something one of the first things that happens is we start to think of all the ways it won’t work. We think back to other things we’ve tried, that in our minds, failed or others tell us why they don’t think we can do it. The words spoken over us from our parents, past teachers or coaches, friends or ‘not friends’ that discouraged us growing up regurgitate in our minds and keeps us from believing that we could do what God is calling us to now.
Jesus speaks to us about this in John 15. First off He reminds us that without Him we can’t bear fruit. We won’t be successful. Then He tells us that as long as we are His and are bearing some fruit we get to stick with Him and He will prune us so that we will bear more fruit. Oh, and by the way, in case we didn’t think we were good enough to bear fruit, He goes on to say don’t worry about being good enough. You’re already clean. I’ve already spoken words to your heart and washed you clean.
So, going back to my opening statement, Jesus is telling us not to listen to the words spoken over us in the past. He has washed those clean and they no longer have any power over us as long as we abide (continue; dwell; be present; expectant) in Him and let His Words remain in us. Words that He has already spoken over us. Words that are Truth.
- We are more than conquerors through Him.
- We can do all things through Him.
- We are His workmanship, created in Him for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
And what is the result of abiding in Him, His love and His Words? Verse 7 says we can ask whatever we wish and it will be done for us and God is glorified by the much fruit that will come from it. Oh, and the icing on the cake is Jesus’s joy will be in you, that your joy may be made full. Such great news!
What fruit is the Lord calling you to? I’d love to hear about it and add it to my prayers. Please share below!