Bear Much Fruit

[Jn 15:7-8; Rom 10:17]

John 15:7-8 (NASB) – “If you remain in Me, and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. [8] “My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and [so] prove to be My disciples.

Remain: meno (me’-no) v. To remain (in a place) to abide, stay. To await, continue, endure. To exist permanently in a relationship, inseparably united.

Words: rhema (hray’-mah) A word spoken or uttered.

W. E. Vine said: The significance of rhema (as distinct from logos) is exemplified in the injunction to take “the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God,” Eph. 6:17; here the reference is not to the whole Bible as such, but to the individual scripture which the Spirit brings to our remembrance for use in time of need, a prerequisite being the regular storing of the mind with Scripture.¹

Ask: aiteo (ai-te’-o) v. To ask, demand, require. (See, Six Kinds of Prayer, VictoryBriefings.Net)

We all want answered prayers, but few are willing to abide in Jesus. This promise is conditional on our abiding. It’s not God who fails to answer our prayers if we aren’t abiding in Him. Rather, it is Satan who hinders our prayers when we are not abiding in Christ, and our lack of speaking His rhema leaves us fruitless (powerless) in battle. Our prayers must align with God’s Word.

My Father is glorified: Gk. doxazo (dox-ad’-zo), to recognize, honor, praise. To bring honor. This word comes from doxa; to render (or esteem) glorious, to magnify.

Christ is in me, the hope of glory (Col. 1:27), but I have to reciprocate and be in Him as well.

A true disciple of Jesus is one that glorifies the Father and bears much fruit. Those who are not bearing fruit are not yet disciples.

Some people have ignored this scripture in order to justify their failures. They say that it was God’s will for them to be unsuccessful so that they would be humbled, or some other excuse. However, this verse makes it plain that fruitlessness does not glorify God. It is God’s will for us to have the fruit that God’s Word promises. Jesus had just said in verse five, “… apart from Me you can do nothing.”

The word “disciple” means a learner, or follower. If the disciples bear much fruit, then they will truly be following the example of Jesus who saw everything the Father gave Him to do become fruitful.

Jesus is preparing His close friends for His departure. He is telling them how to remain connected after He goes to be at the right hand of the Father.

If Jesus’ words abide (continue) in us, we are bound to have faith.

Rom 10:17 (NASB) –So faith [comes] from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.

It would be impossible for the words of Jesus to abide in anybody and that person NOT have faith!

Jesus’ words abide in us in the measure that they govern our lives – in the measure that we act upon His words.

Unbelief and doubt are a result of ignorance of the Word of God. If we reside in the Word, then when we pray, the abundance of the Word which dwells in us speaks Jesus’ Words from our mouth. Just like when Jesus was on earth, and the Father’s words came through His mouth.

Confession:

I abide in Christ, and His words abide in me. I hide His words in my heart. Whenever those scriptures are needed, the Holy Spirit brings them to my remembrance. I believe His Word and boldly pray His Word. When I pray or proclaim God’s Word on the earth, it cannot return to God void. It will accomplish His promises. Doing the word and being fruitful glorifies God and establishes my discipleship.

Thank You Father for Your wonderful, powerful Word. Amen.

God bless you my friend,

— Dwight Hammond

¹Vine, W. E. Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words (Oliphants Ltd., 1952) p.230.