How does bearing fruit demonstrate our faith and obedience to God's Word? The Promise of Fruitfulness in Isaiah 27:6 “ In the days to come Jacob will take root. Israel will bud and blossom and fill the whole world with fruit.” • The verse is a literal promise: God will revive Israel so it “fills the whole world with fruit.” • The principle also extends to every believer united to Israel’s Messiah. When we take root in Him, visible, abundant fruit naturally follows. Fruit Reveals Our Faith • John 15:5 – “Whoever remains in Me and I in him will bear much fruit.” A living union with Christ cannot stay hidden; fruit verifies spiritual life. • Matthew 7:17-18 – Good trees bear good fruit. Faith’s authenticity is confirmed by what it produces. • James 2:17 – Faith apart from works is dead. Fruit is not an optional add-on; it is evidence that saving faith is real. Fruit Expresses Our Obedience • John 15:8 – “This is to My Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, proving yourselves to be My disciples.” Obedience glorifies God and identifies us as His own. • 1 John 2:3-5 – We know we know Him when we keep His commands. Fruitful living demonstrates willing submission to His Word. • Colossians 1:10 – We walk “in a manner worthy of the Lord…bearing fruit in every good work.” Obedience and fruit are inseparable. Two Dimensions of Fruit: Character and Conduct 1. Character Fruit (who we are) – Galatians 5:22-23: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. – These graces reveal Christ’s life formed within us. 2. Conduct Fruit (what we do) – Good works that meet tangible needs (Ephesians 2:10). – Gospel witness that multiplies new believers (Romans 1:13). – Praise and thanksgiving from our lips (Hebrews 13:15). – Generosity and service that build up the body (Philippians 4:17). Cultivating a Fruit-Bearing Life • Root deeply in Scripture – Psalm 1:3; Colossians 3:16. The Word waters the soul and keeps motives pure. • Walk by the Spirit – Galatians 5:16. Only His power produces supernatural fruit. • Practice prompt obedience – John 14:21. Each step of obedience enlarges the harvest. • Embrace the Father’s pruning – John 15:2; Hebrews 12:11. Discipline removes dead weight so more fruit can grow. • Stay in fellowship – Hebrews 10:24-25. Mutual encouragement stimulates love and good deeds. Putting It All Together Taking root in Christ—just as Israel will one day literally root, bud, and blossom—results in visible fruit that: • Confirms our faith is genuine. • Displays our obedience to the authoritative, inerrant Word. • Brings glory to the Father and blessing to the world. When life is surrendered to the Savior, the harvest He promised in Isaiah 27:6 becomes our daily reality: buds of new character, blossoms of good works, and fruit that testifies, “God’s Word is true, and His people obey.” |
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