7 minute read
Feature Article
By Chip Ingram
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In this article, Chip Ingram dispels a popular myth about bearing fruit and shows us a clear picture of what it means to abide in Christ.
Have you ever gotten caught up in the busyness of doing things for God? Serving and reading and praying and checking off all the boxes, and yet — if you were honest — those efforts weren’t exactly producing the free, Spirit-filled, faith you’d expected?
Or maybe you’re in that season right now.
I had a transformative experience in my life that cleared up confusion and discouragement regarding my faith and showed me how to live the fruitful life I’d dreamed of.
I want to share the experience with you and tell you how you, too, can experience a transformed and fruitful faith.
When I was in college, I came to faith in Christ. After growing up in a God-acknowledging but non-Christian home, my life was turned upside down in the best way possible. For the first time, I experienced Christ’s forgiveness and unconditional love, and I began a relationship with Him.
Depleted Faith
Old habits die hard, and before you know it, my overachieving nature crept right into my faith. I worked hard for the Kingdom, teaching and leading Bible studies along with work, school, coaching, and sports. It was exhausting, but I had my eye on a higher purpose.
Until one day, I was preparing for a Bible study, and I was utterly depleted. I had nothing to say or teach. My spiritual tank was empty.
How was this possible? I read my Bible daily and spent time in prayer. How could I feel so far from God? I felt a sense of betrayal since I’d been working so hard for Him— why didn’t I have anything of value to share, or any Biblical lessons to teach with sincerity?
And then I opened my Bible to (John 15:1-11):
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 does bear fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in Me and I in Him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.
If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be My disciples.
As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
Suddenly, it was clear. Although I was heavily involved in good Christian-minded activities, I was “apart” from Him, which meant I could “do nothing.” That was certainly the case. I wasn’t experiencing fruitful Christian living.
I came to understand that it’s His desire to capture my heart, not my efforts. I needed to be connected to Him in such a way that my faith was a natural outcome of our relationship and not religious activities.
My efforts and good work needed to be a natural outcome of the FRUIT in my life. Did I not have fruit? What did that mean to my faith, and how could I get it?
I decided to dive into John 15 and explore what the Scriptures say about the concept of bearing fruit and what it means for Christians today.
Fruitful living includes applying Godly wisdom:
4 Clear Steps to Applying the Wisdom of God to Our Lives
What does the Bible say about bearing fruit?
If you don’t bear fruit, He will lift you up.
Every branch in me that does not bear fruit He takes away.
Contrary to popular interpretations of this verse, the term “takes away” does not mean “gets rid of.” Rather, it means to lift up. God isn’t cutting you off and removing you from the body, but lifting you up to be grafted back into relationship with Him.
Like the popular site, GotQuestions says: “When we neglect our spiritual life, ignore the Word of God, skimp on prayer, and withhold areas of our lives from the scrutiny of the Holy Spirit, we are like a branch broken off the vine” that has fallen into the dirt. So, what does a good farmer do? He lifts up that branch, dusts off the debris, and ties it back onto the source of life: the vine.
What Needs Dusting?
In the same way, if you are in the dirt and separated from the True Vine, He loves you enough to lift you up, dust you off, and keep you close. What does this look like?
Discipline
The Bible teaches (Hebrews 5:5–11) that every genuine son will be disciplined. When you experience discipline, it’s one of the signs that you’re truly in God’s family.
God will lift you up if you know what is right and are not doing it. He’ll send situations, people, and
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