Exegetical Exposition of John 15: 1-8: On the Theme of Christian Fruit Bearing with Application

Christians are branches in Christ, and so God expects fruit from us because we have been called to bear fruit. Jesus says that he is the true vine from whom we are to receive nourishment. Truly we need this nourishment to live a productive life that bears fruit. Just as Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in our Old Testament text were nourished with excellent wisdom and understanding that was ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in the whole kingdom of Babylon (Daniel 1:20). To be in Christ is a mandate for fruit bearing, so if we are unproductive and persist in our own will, God then will set us aside. Christians’ abiding in Christ connects us with the source of life. His abiding in us brings a steady supply of fruit. We must not be satisfied in being branches that are pruned off regularly, we must abide for fruitfulness. Jesus abhors independence and pride. He calls us to abide without reservations elsewhere but that all that is us is found in Christ. We just have to draw closer to Jesus Christ, and He will do the rest for us, for only Christ can cause fruit bearing and apart from Him our leaves cannot even be maintained let alone for us to produce fruit. Christians must also know that, fruit bearing for God is not a human possibility; it is Christ’s work through us.