MORE FRUIT
And Every Branch That Beareth Fruit, He Cleanseth, That it May Bear More
Fruit--John 15:2
The thought of fruit is so prominent in the eye
of Him who sees things as they are, fruit is so truly the one thing God has set
His heart upon, that our Lord, after having said that the branch that bears no
fruit is taken away, at once adds: and where there is fruit, the one desire of
the Husbandman is more fruit. As the gift of His grace, as the token of
spiritual vigor, as the showing forth of the glory of God and of Christ, as the
only way for satisfying the need of the world, God longs and fits for, more
fruit.
More Fruit--This is a very searching word.
As churches and individuals we are in danger of nothing so much as
self-contentment. The secret spirit of Laodicea--we are rich and increased in
goods, and have need of nothing--may prevail where it is not suspected. The
divine warning--poor and wretched and miserable--finds little response just
where it is most needed.
Let us not rest content with the thought that we
are taking an equal share with others in the work that is being done, or that
men are satisfied with our efforts in Christ's service, or even point to us as
examples. Let our only desire be to know whether we are bearing all the fruit
Christ is willing to give through us as living branches, in close and living
union with Himself, whether we are satisfying the loving heart of the great
Husbandman, our Father in Heaven, in His desire for more fruit.
More Fruit--The word comes with divine
authority to search and test our life: the true disciple will heartily
surrender himself to its holy light, and will earnestly ask that God Himself
may show what there may be lacking in the measure or the character of the fruit
he bears. Do let us believe that the Word is meant to lead us on to a fuller
experience of the Father's purpose of love, of Christ's fullness, and of the
wonderful privilege of bearing much fruit in the salvation of men.
More Fruit--The word is a most encouraging
one. Let us listen to it. It is just to the branch that is bearing fruit that
the message comes: more fruit. God does not demand this as Pharaoh the
task-master, or as Moses the lawgiver, without providing the means. He comes as
a Father, who gives what He asks, and works what He commands. He comes to us as
the living branches of the living Vine, and offers to work the more fruit in
us, if we but yield ourselves into His hands. Shall we not admit the claim,
accept the offer, and look to Him to work it in us?
"That it may bear more fruit": do let us believe
that as the owner of a vine does everything to make the fruitage as rich and
large as possible, the divine Husbandman will do all that is needed to make us
bear more fruit. All He asks is, that we set our heart's desire on it, entrust
ourselves to His working and care, and joyfully look to Him to do His perfect
work in us. God has set His heart on more fruit; Christ waits to work it in us;
let us joyfully look up to our divine Husbandman and our heavenly Vine, to
ensure our bearing more fruit.
Our Father which art in Heaven, Thou art the
heavenly Husbandman. And Christ is the heavenly Vine. And I am a heavenly
branch, partaker of His heavenly life, to bear His heavenly fruit. Father, let
the power of His life so fill me, that I may ever bear more fruit, to the glory
of Thy name.