Real Fruit

Today’s reading: John 15

“Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” - John‬ ‭15:5‬

This is a shocking verse to many of us. Largely because when can do a great many things without Jesus’ help. Right?! Or can we...or...do we really want to live life like that?

The Apostle Paul was quoted as saying this in Athens: “For in him we live and move and have our being.” - Acts 17:28

There are two sides to this:

1) Jesus is sustaining all things (including our lives). See Hebrews 1:3; Colossians 1:17.

2) We cannot produce anything of LASTING value apart from Jesus. We may pretend we are getting along well without His help, but it will be revealed in the end. See 1 Corinthians 3:12-15.

It is kind of like playing NBA 2K (video game) and truly believing that we are good enough to play pro basketball.

The only way we will love others sacrificially and sufficiently obey Jesus is to remain in Him.

“...He will produce this kind of fruit in us.” - Galatians 5:22