Jesus said, “My Father will be honored, when you bear much fruit.”
Our Heavenly Father is the Husbandman, Jesus is the vine, and we are the branches to bear fruit. If we fail to bear fruit, we are first pruned. We are then given time to bear fruit. If we then fail to bear fruit, we are removed from vine and cast into the fire.
“Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.” We have a responsibility to bear much fruit in the here and now. Jesus used the metaphor of vines, branches, and fruit so that we could understand fruitfulness: it is an outward expression of what is inside of us. We grow patio tomatoes in our backyard. Each season we expect those plants to produce. If they produce good fruit, we buy the same type of plant the next year. If they fail to produce, they are history. They have a responsibility to be productive. That is why they were created. We have a responsibility to produce fruit as well and we must keep that focus before us.
Jesus went on further to say, “As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.” He has given us the key to bearing good fruit- Love. Love must flow from the vine to the branch, then to the fruit. Our fruitfulness will be judged by its Love content.
“If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.” Love and The Law cannot be separated. Sin and lawlessness separate man from Our Heavenly Father’s presence. On the other hand, Love brings us into full communion and the flow of life from the Vine. When disconnected from Love, we are nothing. Men want a closer relationship with Our Heavenly Father but attempt it without the revelation of Love. If you want to know Our Heavenly Father, you must focus on Love and its attributes. It should become first nature with you when you awake in the morning. You should contemplate your realm of influence and look for ways to express Love to those around you. An envelope, paper, and a stamp are sufficient tools to express Love to another. It doesn’t take a lot of resources. A heartfelt handwritten letter expresses as much Love as any other gift. An act of Love in terms of assistance in an area you are skillful can express more than you can imagine.
“This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.” Go out and Love someone today. Make a difference in someone’s life. Do the unexpected that your joy may be full.