NIGERIAN BAPTIST CONVENTION SEEK DAILY (NBC) Monday, September 25 FRUIT BEARING DISCIPLES

 

RBT: Habakkuk 1-3

Memory Verse: This is my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. John 15:8, NIV

Bible Text: John 15:1-8

15:1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 

15:2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 

15:3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 

15:4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 

15:5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 

15:6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 

15:7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 

15:8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. 

Mr Benedict was a successful motor mechanic, and he had many apprentices. His words of encouragement to them were: ''get rid of all distractions that can hinder your concentration as a step to productivity, your diligence will inform your success.” With this, the apprentice obeyed, and graduated as scheduled. 

Yesterday in our devotion, Jesus used an analogy of love as a recognising mark of a disciple. Today, He used fruit bearing as a mark of identifying a disciple. Jesus gives us the picture of the vine, the branches, and the vinedresser, and emphasises the need for a branch to abide in the vine before it can bear fruits. The key to effective Christian living, and powerful, fruit-producing lives is abiding in Christ. However, by separating ourselves from Him, we cannot be productive. 

As a believer, are you productive, and bearing dividend to God on His investment upon your life? A branch that will bear fruits must be ready for pruning, which involves the removal of dead wood that could harbour insects and disease and may cause the vine to rot, and hinder productivity.

Insight: A branch that is truly connected to the Vine is secure and will never be removed, but will bear fruit.

Prayer: Help me, LORD, to continually be fruitful.