Daily Devotional - Discipleship - WK34 - 08/24/24 - Day 216 “Good Fruit"

Author: Evangelist Lisa Dalton

"Good Fruit"
Scripture: John 15:8 (NKJV)
"By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples."

Devotion:
In this verse, Jesus speaks about the connection between bearing fruit and glorifying God. He makes it clear that the purpose of our lives as His disciples is to produce spiritual fruit. This fruit not only demonstrates our relationship with Christ, but also brings glory to God the Father. Bearing fruit is central to the Christian life, indicating the visible outcome of our relationship with Jesus—lives transformed by His love and rooted in faith.

Jesus teaches that bearing fruit is the primary way we bring glory to God. Spiritual fruit includes qualities like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). These qualities reflect the character of Christ and demonstrate His presence in our lives. As we grow in these areas, our lives become a testimony of God’s power to change and renew us. The purpose of bearing fruit is not for our own benefit, but to point others to God and glorify Him through our actions.

Jesus says that bearing fruit shows that we are His disciples. True discipleship is not just about professing faith; it is about living out that faith in tangible ways. The fruit we bear serves as evidence that we are connected to the true vine, Jesus Christ. Our actions, attitudes, and relationships should reflect the love and truth of Christ, proving that we are His followers. This challenges us to examine our lives and ask whether we are producing fruit that aligns with our identity as disciples of Jesus.

The ultimate goal of our fruit-bearing is to glorify God. When we live lives that bear fruit, we are living out our purpose as God’s children, reflecting His goodness and grace to the world. Every act of kindness, every moment of patience, and every word of encouragement can be a way to glorify God. This perspective shifts our focus from seeking our own recognition to living in a way that honors God and reveals His love to those around us.

Application:
Examine Your Fruit: Reflect on the spiritual fruit in your life. Are you growing in qualities like love, patience, and kindness? Ask God to help you identify areas where you need to grow and to cultivate more fruit in your life.

Commit to Discipleship: Consider what it means to be a true disciple of Jesus. How are you living out your faith daily? Commit to deepening your relationship with Christ so that your life continually bears fruit that reflects His character.

Live to Glorify God: Make a conscious effort to live in a way that brings glory to God. Whether at work, at home, or in your community, seek opportunities to demonstrate God’s love and grace through your actions. Remember that every small act of obedience and kindness can bring glory to God.

Prayer:
Lord, thank You for calling us to be Your disciples and for the opportunity to bear fruit that glorifies You. Help us to live lives that reflect Your love and truth, producing fruit that honors You and draws others to Your grace. May everything we do point to Your glory. Amen.