The Fruit Of Following Jesus Isn’t Found In Aisle 9
Have you ever read Scripture or heard a sermon and thought, “I really need that in my life”? The things we desire to see manifested in our lives as Christians—spiritual growth, godly character, effective ministry—are often described in Scripture as fruit. Perhaps you’ve wished your prayer life was richer, your devotional habits stronger, or your ability to share the gospel more natural. Maybe you’ve longed for your character to reflect better love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—the fruits of the Spirit. You might even dream of seeing your church flourish, with more people reached, discipled, and serving effectively in the community.
But here’s the challenge: as Christians, we can’t just go to a grocery store to buy the fruit of the Christian life. There’s no quick fix or shortcut. Fruit, by its very nature, takes time to grow.
Jesus beautifully illustrates this truth in the Gospel of John.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without me. If anyone does not remain in me, he is thrown aside like a branch and he withers. They gather them, throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you want and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be my disciples.” – John 15:5-8 (CSB)
Two Truths About Fruitfulness
- Fruit is specific. A grapevine produces grapes, not peaches, plums, or watermelons. The fruit we produce will reflect the nature of the plant to which we’re connected. Jesus, as our vine, naturally produces the specific fruit of His character and mission through us.
- Fruitfulness comes from relationship. Branches can’t bear fruit on their own; they depend entirely on their connection to the vine. As Christians, our fruitfulness depends wholly on our ongoing relationship with Jesus. It’s not something we can borrow or imitate. It must grow naturally from our daily, submitted, and devoted relationship with Him.
Having fruit in the Christian life is not a matter of willpower alone; it’s about abiding in Christ—living closely connected, obediently following, and patiently allowing the Father, our Gardener, to shape and prune our lives. It’s in this surrendered relationship that the buds begin to form, flowers bloom, and eventually, mature fruit as a Christian develops.
Commit to the Process
So, if you want to see real, lasting fruit in your life, start with your relationship with Jesus. Commit to walking with Him daily, trusting His timing, and allowing Him to cultivate your heart. Fruitfulness isn’t something we achieve instantly—it’s the beautiful result of a life deeply rooted and faithfully growing in Christ.