ARE YOU STILL GROWING? 

Alice YoungFrontPage, News, Pastor

In John 15 Jesus asks us if we bear the fruit of God’s life? In the chapter Jesus indicates the fruit God is looking for is our obedience (v14), loving others like Jesus loves (v12), and contributing to God’s work in rescuing the world (v15). Do we bear this fruit? If not, the implications are: 

“He [God] cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” (NIV John 15:2) 

If we are bearing fruit, note we still are cut. God prunes us to bear even more fruit! 

I want to focus on those who bear fruit. How would you say God has pruned you? I know he uses the Scriptures to examine our hearts (v17). I know God uses challenges to strengthen our character (v20). I know God uses others to help us see what we cannot by ourselves. As a follower of Jesus every ‘cut’ that removes dead, unfruitful elements of our lives is to be welcomed. However painful they may be. After all, on the other side of this, we will bear even more fruit! 

Do you notice what attitude is required to bear more fruit? The attitude of growth. Whatever stage of faith you are at, under God’s hands you still are growing, changing, for the better. This side of glory, you have not arrived yet. You are still a learner. That may sound exhausting to some. But that is only if you focus on the cuts. How about focussing on the growth? On the other side of this you will be stronger, more faithful, more like Jesus, more fruitful. That sounds amazing. 

In Him, 

Jason 

Photo by Peter Keller on Unsplash