The Simple Solution for Producing Fruit

Christian growth seems so complicated at times, doesn’t it?

I need to pray, and I need to make sure that my prayers aren’t too self-centered, and I need to be praying for the spread of God’s kingdom, and to be sure that I’m not distracted by my iPhone. I need to read God’s word. And meditate on it. And memorize it. I need to evangelize, fast, serve, reach out, love my wife, serve my daughters, and give money to God’s work.

Man, this stuff can be so confusing! With limited time and limited energy, what the heck am I supposed to do? Sometimes I get anxious when I think about all that I should be doing. I want to be a fruitful Christian but I worry that I’m missing something. How can I be sure that I’m doing the right stuff at the right time?

I find Jesus’ words in John 15:5 very helpful:

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

Isn’t that refreshingly simple? If I want to bear much fruit I need to abide in Jesus. That’s it.

To abide with Jesus is to be with him. To spend time with him. To be near to him.

It’s important to think through the various spiritual disciplines we pursue. But let’s not get overly worked up or worried about producing fruit for the Lord. If we abide with Jesus, we will produce fruit. Actually, let me correct that. If we abide with Jesus, He will produce fruit.