Fruitfulness

This month, both in church and our house churches, we are looking at the subject of fruitfulness. God wants us to be fruitful. He says in John 15: 16 "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to bear much fruit – fruit that will last". This Scripture along with the early verses describes our relationship with God and His purpose for us, to bear much fruit. What is the fruit that God wants to produce through us? Fruit in the bible can be seen both as an internal quality and as an external manifestation. Internally it is the fruit of the Spirit that Paul speaks of in Galatians 5. This fruit "Love, joy, peace, patience etc" develops as we abide in and obey the Lord. There are also 3 other areas that Paul describes as fruit:

- Our involvements in sharing the gospel and seeing people come into the Kingdom.
- Our involvement in giving to those in need.
- The fruit of our lips that confess His name as we obey Him in all situations.

Of course God the Father as the gardener wants to develop all of us to produce the maximum fruit in our lives. He does this by discipline and pruning. As His children we need to understand the difference and to know which one is being applied to us at any time. Let us remember that in all of His workings His attitude towards us is always one of love and nurturing.