Can I still Bear Fruit?
by Linnette R. Mullin
If the "fruitful" Christian life is defined by acts of service, where does that leave people who are chronically sick or disabled?
Frustration coursed through me as I tightened my grip on the steering wheel. I wanted to shut the radio off. The pastor was preaching from John 15, one of my favorite passages. But today, even the words of Jesus felt like too much to bear: "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. I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit-fruit that will last" (vv.2, 15
NIV).
My jaws clenched as I listened to the preacher explain that the fruit Jesus was talking about is the visible outcome of our works done in His service. How am I supposed to "bear fruit" when I can hardly take care of myself?
I have Chronic Lyme disease that causes extreme pain, fatigue, and many other symptoms. I struggle to
cope with the daily demands of being a wife and a mother of four children who inherited my disease. Discouragement often consumes me because of my inability to live what I've always considered the productive Christian life.
I've often heard it taught that being a faithful follower of Christ meant being active in the church and in ministry to others. But I couldn't even commit to consistent weekly church attendance-much less to teaching Sunday school, singing in the choir, or opening my home to visitors. Just taking care of myself and my family took all my energy. The idea of "Christian service" felt completely overwhelming when I was just trying to survive.
Our actions are hugely important. As James 2:17 states, faith without works is dead. But is our spirituality measured by how many "Christian service" hours we accumulate? If so, where does that leave us who are chronically sick or disabled?
Let's think about it this way. A missionary-minded believer plants the seed of the gospel at every opportunity. Does she control how many people actually come to Christ? Christian parents constantly give of themselves to instill in their children a love for God. Is there any guarantee that their sons and daughters will serve Him? What about the youth pastor who acts as a brother, friend, and counselor to every teenager in his youth group? Does he determine the life path each one will take?
Of course not. Though we influence people by what we do and how we live, the ultimate outcome is between each individual and God - salvation being the work of His Spirit.
So, what did Jesus mean when he said, "Bear much fruit and so prove to be My disciples" (John 15:8)?
As the radio minister spoke of cutting off unfruitful ministries to make room for more productive ones, I begged God to give me insight. Immediately, I was reminded that Jesus said many people who perform wonderful and even miraculous works in His name will actually be turned away at heaven's gate because they don't really know Him (Matthew 7:21-23).
It was then God's answer struck me: Your fruit is of the Spirit.
Of course! Why hadn't I realized this before? The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
But, how are these fruits produced? I found the answer within reach of the command, "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" (John 15:4-5).
The source of our fruitfulness is our union with Christ. The more we live in Him-developing an intimate relationship-the more love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control become reality in us.
While we're called to do good works, they don't in themselves produce fruit. Rather, the fruit of the Spirit initiates our service, whether that involves serving on the mission field or taking the time to offer a kind word or a prayer for your child. It's more about how we do things than what we do.
I'm reminded of the *song based on John 13:35 that says, "They will know we are Christians by our love." This is the most important and basic fruit that should mark our lives: love - both for God and for others. Everything else flows from this.
Living a vital Christian life isn't about what we can or cannot do. It's about returning to our first love and "abiding" in Him. Whether we're out tirelessly serving the sick and needy or confined to bed ourselves, Jesus Himself has made it possible for us to live fully for Him.
*Scholtes, P. "They'll Know We Are Christians By Our Love," 1966
**This article was reprinted with permission & previously published in Charles Stanley’s In Touch Magazine.
