First, we cultivate our connection with Christ through the word of God. Notice John
15:7. Jesus says, “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you
wish, and it will be done for you.” You see, there’s a clear connection between abiding
in Christ and abiding in his word. My friend, as you fill your mind with the word of Christ
then you’ll begin to have the mind of Christ and with the mind of Christ you’ll think like
Christ and act like Christ. In other words, you’ll develop Christian character and
Christian conduct. My friend, are you spending time every day in the word of God? If
not then the world’s words will fill your mind and you will live a worldly life as a
consequence.
If you want to abide in Christ, you have to abide in his word. And then you have to
abide in prayer. Jesus said, “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for
whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” Again, there’s a clear connection
between praying to Christ, abiding in Christ, and bearing fruit for Christ. And I’m not
talking about the usual kind of prayer that focus on physical needs only as important as
that is. Instead, I’m talking about prayer that focuses on bearing fruit for the glory of
God? Are you asking God to give you the fruit of Christian character, Christian conduct,
and Christian converts? If not, then don’t be surprised if you’re a barren branch.
Finally, if you want to abide in Christ then you have to abide in Christian fellowship.
Throughout this passage, Jesus uses the second person plural pronoun to address his
disciples as a group. You see, he is speaking to them as a collective fellowship; and
the passage that immediately follows our text is all about the disciples loving one
another. In John 15:12 Jesus says, “This is my commandment, that you love one
another as I have loved you.” And then in John 15:16 he concludes the section on love
by saying this: “I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last.”
You see, we best bear fruit when we are part of a loving community of fellow Christians
who are studying together, praying together, loving one another, and encouraging each
other to bear fruit that will last. My friend, are you part of such a group as that? If not,
then you need to start one. Ask a fellow believer to meet regularly with you for prayer,
bible study, accountability, and encouragement. It’s the secret to bearing fruit.
My friend, are you part of the vine? Have you been grafted into Christ by baptism and
made his own by faith? And are you bearing the fruit of Christian character, Christian
conduct, and Christian converts? Or are you a barren branch? God wants to feed you,
lift you, and prune you so you can bear fruit for his glory. And you can if you will abide
in Christ through his word, through fellowship, and prayer. Will you renew your
commitment to abide? Remember, abiding is the secret to bearing. You must abide in
Christ to bear fruit for Christ. May each of us bear fruit, more fruit, and much fruit for
God’s glory! Amen.