FRUIT FROM THE ROOT

FRUIT FROM THE ROOT
March 16, 2018

Prayer: Lord may we bear fruit that flows from the root of abiding in Your love.

Scripture: If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. 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. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. John 15:7-11 KJV

What does it mean to, “Abide” and how does abiding impact our prayers? These few verses spell out several powerful results of abiding in Him. It will allow His life to flow through ours, changing our desires, so that we are given whatever we ask. Secondly, abiding glorifies God. When His life flows through us, it not only changes our thoughts but it also changes our attitudes and actions. The fruit of the Spirit springs from our lips and lives like fruit on a branch. When the Holy Spirit dwells in us and we stay connected to His Word and ways, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23) When we abide, the Spirit in us cannot hide and God is glorified.

Abiding also assures that our fruit is sweet and draws other people to Him. When a disciple of Jesus exhibits real peace, real joy, real kindness, etc… other people want what they have. The world is seeking love, joy and peace in all the wrong places. They jump from religion to religious practice to a bottle, through one relationship after another seeking what only the “true vine” can give to them.

Thirdly, we realize that obedience follows abiding. You cannot disobey God and abide at the same time. Sin puts distance, and disconnect, between the branch and the vine. I am not saying it is severed, but the life-giving nourishment cannot flow into a sick branch; in other words, the blessing is blocked. Obedience to God’s commands becomes more and more natural as the flesh yields to faith and the branch draws nearer to the vine. Remember, desires change as we abide. Lifestyles change when we abide. It is not a legalistic obedience, but an obedience that flows out of our love, faith and appreciation to Him. We surrender because we know that we can trust Him, we obey because we know His ways flow out of His love for us.

That is what it means to abide in His love; when we finally reach a point of understanding that His commands are for us, not against us. That His boundaries protect us, even better than our rules protect and provide for a safe & fruitful classroom. His commands allow us to experience life and joy to the fullest!

Prayer lesson: All fruit comes from the root. From the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks (Luke 6:45). Every thought, word and deed has a root. The fruit may be bitter; springing from a root of pride or pain or the fruit may be sweet, springing up from the flow of the Spirit in you. As you yield, the Spirit fills. Spending time in prayer, taking every thought captive and examining it through the lens of God’s word, will allow your life to be filled with joy that bears much fruit.