Bearing Much Fruit

“If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5


Last night's thoughts: It’s twilight now. The cooler than normal day has dissolved into a cool, calm evening. My windows are open and the dogs and I are enjoying the serenade of a mocking bird in the maple tree. It’s a wonderful time to reflect on the day. Tonight, as most of my June has been filled with berries, ripe beautiful berries.

After suppertime, I went to pick more black raspberries. The slender, thorny branches bent down by the weight of their berries reminded me that I am to bear much fruit. Jesus promises that if we remain in him and he in us, we will bear much fruit.

Galatians 5:22 describes the fruit of the Spirit; the fruit that can come only from our relationship with the Lord. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” These are the character traits found in Christ’s nature and are produced in us when we know Christ, love Christ, imitate Christ. We can’t produce these by our own effort, for apart from him we can do nothing.

My prayer is that my branches are heavy-laden with this fruit, the fruit of the Spirit.