Bearing Lasting Fruit

“I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me—and I in him—bears much fruit, because apart from me you can accomplish nothing.” (NET)

Into the Text

I love how Jesus says, “bears much fruit…” It’s as if He’s gently reminding us that our lives are meant to overflow with Spiritual Fruit. But here’s the best part. We aren’t expected to produce it in our own strength. You, my sweet friend, are utterly unable to make this Fruit grow. It’s a task that we do together with Jesus.

Our part is to stay connected and rooted in Him. It’s not a passive wanting to remain connected to Christ, but a daily coming to Him in faith and prayer for help. In these actions, He’s the One who supplies everything we need—our Strength, Wisdom, and Nourishment. As we draw from His Life, He produces Amazing Fruit through us.

Too often, we think we have to strive, push, or muster up the strength to produce Fruit. But the truth is, we don’t bear Fruit by struggling. We bear Fruit by abiding. Through Jesus, we already have everything we need to grow and bear Good Fruit. Abiding in Jesus means realizing and believing that we have been united to Him. Everything He has, He wants to give to us: His Joy, His Love, His Purity, His Life, His All.

So, if you’re feeling weak or overwhelmed by life’s demands, remember your role. You are the branch—not the Vine. When we’re weak, He is Strong, and it’s perfectly okay to lean into that Truth. Apart from Him, we can do nothing. When we abide in Him, He does the heavy lifting.