MORE FRUIT
And Every Branch That Beareth Fruit, He Cleanseth, That
it May Bear More Fruit--John 15:2
The thought of fruit is so prominent
in the eye of Him who sees things as they are, fruit is so truly
the one thing God has set His heart upon, that our Lord, after
having said that the branch that bears no fruit is taken away,
at once adds: and where there is fruit, the one desire of the
Husbandman is more fruit. As the gift of His grace, as the token
of spiritual vigor, as the showing forth of the glory of God and
of Christ, as the only way for satisfying the need of the world,
God longs and fits for, more fruit.
More Fruit--This is a very
searching word. As churches and individuals we are in danger of
nothing so much as self-contentment. The secret spirit of Laodicea--we
are rich and increased in goods, and have need of nothing--may
prevail where it is not suspected. The divine warning--poor and
wretched and miserable--finds little response just where it is
most needed.
Let us not rest content with the
thought that we are taking an equal share with others in the work
that is being done, or that men are satisfied with our efforts
in Christ's service, or even point to us as examples. Let our
only desire be to know whether we are bearing all the fruit Christ
is willing to give through us as living branches, in close and
living union with Himself, whether we are satisfying the loving
heart of the great Husbandman, our Father in Heaven, in His desire
for more fruit.
More Fruit--The word comes
with divine authority to search and test our life: the true disciple
will heartily surrender himself to its holy light, and will earnestly
ask that God Himself may show what there may be lacking in the
measure or the character of the fruit he bears. Do let us believe
that the Word is meant to lead us on to a fuller experience of
the Father's purpose of love, of Christ's fullness, and of the
wonderful privilege of bearing much fruit in the salvation of
men.
More Fruit--The word is a
most encouraging one. Let us listen to it. It is just to the branch
that is bearing fruit that the message comes: more fruit. God
does not demand this as Pharaoh the task-master, or as Moses the
lawgiver, without providing the means. He comes as a Father, who
gives what He asks, and works what He commands. He comes to us
as the living branches of the living Vine, and offers to work
the more fruit in us, if we but yield ourselves into His hands.
Shall we not admit the claim, accept the offer, and look to Him
to work it in us?
"That it may bear more fruit":
do let us believe that as the owner of a vine does everything
to make the fruitage as rich and large as possible, the divine
Husbandman will do all that is needed to make us bear more fruit.
All He asks is, that we set our heart's desire on it, entrust
ourselves to His working and care, and joyfully look to Him to
do His perfect work in us. God has set His heart on more fruit;
Christ waits to work it in us; let us joyfully look up to our
divine Husbandman and our heavenly Vine, to ensure our bearing
more fruit.
Our Father which art in Heaven,
Thou art the heavenly Husbandman. And Christ is the heavenly Vine.
And I am a heavenly branch, partaker of His heavenly life, to
bear His heavenly fruit. Father, let the power of His life so
fill me, that I may ever bear more fruit, to the glory of Thy
name.
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