OUR ALL – Principles of Discipleship Part 8 (be fruitful)

A disciple's life is also marked by being fruitful. The Lord said in John 15:8 "By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be my disciple." There are two aspects to being fruitful, an internal and an external.

The first one has to do with our character. We read in Galatians 5:22-23 that "the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control." These are all character traits that can only be manifested when we are filled with the Holy Spirit, and living our lives in such way will bring glory to God.

The second aspect is the external, and it has to do with bringing glory to God by winning people for Christ. The Bible says that if we are truly following Christ, we will be reaching others with His message. Jesus said: "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." Matthew 4:19 God has appointed us with the task of bringing much fruit, and that this fruit would remain. It is our responsibility to obey. Jesus said in John 15:16 "You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain."

Whether it be the fruit of the Spirit or people won for Him, He wants us to produce much of it, and that it would remain. By doing this, we prove to be His disciples.