Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - June/79

Contributor - Engelina Van Essen

Title - Appointed To Bear Fruit

Topic - Women

Once upon a time, when all the birds were tired of singing, a sparrow broke the quietness of the evening with a very deep question. "What is life and what is its purpose?" she said. Everyone was stunned to hear such a question, except the lark who answered right away. "Life", she said, "is like a song". "Oh no, it is a constant struggle in the dark" said the mole, who was just coming up. "I think it is a development", said the rosebud, and unfolded her petals, to the surprise of a butterfly, who kissed the rose and remarked, "life is pure joy". "I think it is nothing but trouble and hard labour", said an ant, who struggled with an object much bigger than herself.

At that moment, soft raindrops came falling down, and whispered very sad, "life is but a valley of tears". "No, you are mistaken", the eagle called while he sailed through the sky, "life is freedom and power".

By that time, the sun had set and the nigh twind whispered through the treetops, "life is like a dream". Then the darkness and quietness of the night covered field and forest. It was almost daybreak, when the lonely scholar switched off the light and said with a yawn, my purpose in life is to gain knowledge; - yes, life is like a school". "It is an everlasting secret", whispered the morning breeze.

Then the sun peeked over the hilltops and bordered the clouds with a golden rim. The new day kissed the earth, and echoed through the whole wide world, "Life is a new beginning".

Have you ever heard the question, "Why do I live; - what is the purpose of it all?" Or maybe you have asked yourself, " what is my purpose in life?" A very human question, isn't it, especially when things are not going so well. Yet, what is our purpose in life? I think that many of us do know the answer. In Ephesians 1: 12 we read, "We who have been destined and appointed to live for the praise of his glory. And in Matthew 5:16, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to the Father who is in heaven."

Yes, the answer is: Our purpose in life is to glorify God. But, you may say, how does that work, how do I glorify God? Now, before we talk a bit more about this, let's turn to the gospel of John, chapter 15. Jesus says, "I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it, that it may bear fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch, and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you. By this is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples." Verse 16: "You did not choose Me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask of the Father in My name, He may give to you."

So, here is the answer to our next question, how do I glorify God? In vs. 8 we read, "By this is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit." And how do we bear fruit? We just read it: by abiding in Christ. Jesus says, that apart from Him, we can do nothing. This is not something to read over lightly. We have to be aware of our limitations; - we have to be aware of our emptiness; - of the impossibility to be fruitful on our own. Then, when we are aware of our emptiness, we can go to the source of life to be filled; - then we can go to Jesus, and say, "here I am Lord, I want to walk with you, I want to be part of you, please teach me, and show me, and use me."

Sturdy, sprawling grape vines with lush green branches and clusters of fruit were a common sight in Palestine. Jesus used this picture to portray the abiding relationship of the believer with Himself. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit if it has been cut off the vine, so our potential to live a fruitful life is a direct result of living in a close union with Him. Jesus is not just the stem, He is the whole vine, and we as the branches are part of Him. In order to be effective, we must completely depend on Him. Failure to do this means, withered branches. Such branches are picked up and thrown into the fire and burned. If we remain in Christ, God promises us the secret of effective prayer. "Ask whatever you wish and it shall be given to you." The result of living in a close relationship with Christ, is bearing fruit.

What fruit does the Spirit produce in the life of the believer? Galatians 5 mentions love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. Bearing fruit means, effective discipleship, effective alike in prayer and teaching, - in work and service. The result of being fruitful is, that we show ourselves to be disciples of Jesus. If we remain in a close walk with Jesus, then He teaches us, He disciples us, so that we in return are able to disciple others. Such fruitfulness results in glorifying God.

All this means a daily obedience to the will of God as He reveals it in His Word. It means responding to God, just as Christ responded to His Father. The key to being fruitful, is our fellowship with Christ. There is no other way, for us Christian women than to be fruitful. You are chosen to go and bear fruit; - I am chosen to go and bear fruit. You cannot do it? Oh yes you can. Let me quote Jesus; words again, "You did not choose Me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask of the Father in My name, He may give to you." Yes, we may ask the Father to help us to bear fruit, then, by being fruitful we will glorify God.

Heavenly Father, we ask that your plough will prepare the soil, our hearts, so that we may be ready for seeding. We ask that You will feed us, so that we may grow and bear much fruit. We ask it in Jesus name. Amen.

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