Are You Fruity?

“By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples” John 15:8

A few years ago we had two tomato plants that refused to die. They would remain bare during the winter but during the rest of the year they produced a plethora of plump juicy tomatoes for our eating pleasure. Every time I went outside and saw those perennial plants putting out the goods it brought a smile to my face.

I enjoy a good tomato, but there’s nothing like a fresh, home grown tomato from my own backyard. I love the way it tastes and I even love the way it smells. It’s mine and for some strange reason I get this strange sense of parental accomplishment every time those babies are brimming with buds. Whenever I saw those things flourishing with fruit, I knew I would have plenty to give away and that made me proud in a strange sort of way.

In John 15, Jesus tells us He is the vine and we are the branches. We are completely dependent upon the Lord if fruit is going to be found dangling from the branches of our lives. Apart from Him, we can do nothing. Apart from Him, no fruit is produced.

He tells us that our Heavenly Father is glorified when we bear “much” fruit. He delights when His children are fruity.

I know it’s really a lame parallel, but I couldn’t help but think about how happy those silly tomatoes made me. The Lord not only delights in finding fruit in our lives, He is glorified by the fruitiness of our lives. The primary purpose for our own existence is fulfilled when we bear much fruit because that glorifies our Father.

When our branches are full, there’s plenty to go around. The fruit coming forth from our own lives nourishes those around us and God uses the overflow of fruit in our lives to pour into the places of need in the lives of others.

Today, I began thinking about my own fruit or lack thereof. Am I really bearing enough fruit to make my Father smile? Am I as fruity as I should be? If not, then I have nothing to give to others. If not, then I’m obviously not abiding in His as I should.

What about you? Are you bearing fruit? Can others be nourished by the abundance of fruit in your life? Are you abiding in Him as you should?

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10 Comments

  1. I enjoyed reading this! Great reminder and encouragement!

    Bless you!

  2. Oh, no, Steph! This is not a lame parallel at all. It's wonderful! This is exactly what Jesus used to speak in every day terms to others. I always love reading about the fruit we should bear and being fruit inspectors. It's those darn fruit flies that are so irritating! LOL Great post, sweetie! Be blessed!

  3. Perennial tomatoes??

    I love the progression of fruit, more fruit, and much fruit.

    Which reminds me. We went to Gracee's VBS program last night. They sang about the fruits of the spirit. The fruit of the spirit's not a watermelon. The fruit of the spirit's not a grape. Etc. Loved it!

  4. Lisa ~ Thanks for popping in, my friend! I so long to be a faithful and fruity Christian!

  5. Hi Lynn ~ You're right…those pesky fruit flies are a pain the patootie! ๐Ÿ™‚

    Love ya!

  6. Sandra ~ I know tomatoes aren't perennial, but these things would NOT die! Every year, they'd come back bigger and better than the year before. I hope I'm like that after the winter seasons of my life, as well.

    By the way…I love those sweet little children's songs about Jesus! They make me smile too. ๐Ÿ™‚

  7. I'm the same way with my garden, but I've never thought about it in terms of God's delight w/ my spiritual fruit. Thanks for sharing!

  8. I love the parallel! And it's a great reminder. I have a tomato plant that won't bear a single fruit …. I do NOT want to be like that one.

  9. Hi Ashley ~ Thanks for popping in. I love that you garden. I've wanted to since I was a kid and my grandpa let me help work in his.

    I do love how our lives can bring glory and pleasure to our Lord and Savior. Nothing like knowing that our Heavenly Father delights in us! ๐Ÿ™‚

  10. Hi Julie ~ You're right…barren is not what we want to be! ๐Ÿ™‚

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