Don't confuse bearing fruit with accomplishment

Scripture Verse that Caught my attention today: John 15:8 My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.

Observation: It’s interesting to see what pleases God.

Application: I know of a pastor who has done some really incredible things. In fact, the ministries of which he has been a part are nothing short of phenomenal—so much so that if I were to accomplish just 1% of what he has accomplished, I would still likely be quite pleased. To be sure, I have great respect for him.

Still, he seems to carry a burden about him that seems out of character with the nature of the call. It’s almost seems as if he feels that if he doesn’t do it, it won’t get done and God’s kingdom won’t come.

I’m not sure that’s the burden we were meant to bear.

True, the passage above indicates that God is glorified when we bear much fruit. But in the Bible “fruit” refers more to character than accomplishment. The fruits of the Spirit, according to Paul in Galatians 5:22-23, are: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”

Perhaps this is why Jesus so closely binds bearing fruit with discipleship. It is in following Jesus that we find such things and, indeed, move toward becoming such things. When we are running low on fruit in our lives, it’s often because we are running high on ourselves and low on Jesus. In fact, we might be doing much in his name but little to reflect his name.

There’s nothing wrong with accomplishment. Following Jesus is no excuse for apathy. But let’s not forget that God is the great doer in life and that we are simply the responders to the call. The freshest and most plentiful fruit we are to bear is the fruit that he himself so graciously offers to those who follow him.

Prayer: Lord, thanks for the reminder once again that you are our all-in-all. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

(readings today included: Jeremiah 13-15 and John 15)