53. The Importance of Being Fruitful

Jesus said, “My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be my disciples.” We are to bear much fruit; it’s what truly glorifies God and ultimately proves that we are Christ’s disciples.

Several places in the Gospels, Jesus talks about the importance of being fruitful. But nowhere does He say it better than when He talks about being the “true vine.”  Here Jesus is the vine and we are the branches, a relationship that can’t help but be fruitful—provided, that is, that each of the parties is faithful to do his part.

A variety of virtues are encompassed in godly fruit, but its highest and all-enveloping expression is love—love of God, love for His family and, more generally, love toward others. We all know, however, that such fruit doesn’t simply materialize overnight. It only can grow and develop over time as we persistently draw on God’s life.

From Free from the Power of Sin: the Keys to Growing in God in Spite of Yourself

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