Bible Devotions for Living

Are you bearing good or worthless fruit to God?

Israel’s example

³ So now, residents of Jerusalem and men of Judah, please judge between Me and My vineyard. ⁴ What more could I have done for My vineyard than I did? Why, when I expected a yield of good grapes, did it yield worthless grapes? … ⁷ For the vineyard of the Lord of Hosts is the house of Israel. (Isa 5:3-7)

God had worked hard to make Israel His vineyard (Ps 80:8-11) so that they would produce good fruit; but unfortunately, they didn’t. God then went even farther in the New Testament by dying for believers, connecting us with Jesus, and filling us with the Holy Spirit (Jn 3:3-6) so that we would bear good fruit. He has given you everything you need to bear good fruit.

So, the question you need to answer is “What kind of fruit are you bearing?”

Kinds of good fruit believers in Christ should be bearing

Here are some of the good fruits you should be bearing and the changes that should be happening in you:

• The fruit of the Spirit: Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control (Gal 5:22-25)
• A growing Christian character (2 Peter 1:5-8)
• Good works and love (Col 1:10; Php 1:22)
• Loving other believers (1 Jn)
• Sharing the Gospel (Rom 1:10)
• Praising and proclaiming the Lord (Heb 13:15)

God has saved you, grafted you into Jesus Christ, and indwelt you with His Holy Spirit so that you will bear good fruit to Him. Are you bearing good or worthless fruit to God?

How to bear good fruit

The only way to bear good fruit is to remain closely attached to Jesus because it is Him that actually bears the fruit through you. Jesus uses the comparison of Him being the vine and you the branch that bears fruit to illustrate.

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vineyard keeper … ⁴ Remain in Me, and I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in Me. ⁵ I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without Me.” (Jn 15:1-5)

If a branch is attached to the vine, the vine nourishes the branch by the sap and nutrients flowing into it and it is through that connection that the branch bears flowers and fruit. The same is true of you and Jesus. If you are not connected properly, you will not bear the fruit you should be bearing.

For example, if you are living sinfully, selfishly, disobediently, apathetic to Him, in a worldly way, or not reading His Word, you no longer are connected properly to Jesus. If that is the case, there is no doubt you are NOT bearing the good fruit of the Spirit. You may think you’re bearing good fruit but you are not.

Remain connected to Jesus by living a holy and godly life, read your Bible, focus on God, hang out with other strong believers, and serve Him.

Think about it

Are you bearing good or worthless fruit?

Would God say your fruit is good or worthless?

Are you changing for the better on the inside in your thoughts, attitudes, and love?

Are you acting and speaking more like the Lord on the outside?

Are you a Godly and positive influence in the lives of others?

Good fruit is pleasant to see, smell, taste, and even touch. Are you becoming more pleasant to God and other believers?

If you’re not bearing much good fruit, figure out why and make the changes needed.

⁴ What more could I have done for My vineyard than I did? Why, when I expected a yield of good grapes, did it yield worthless grapes? (Isa 5:4)

Are you bearing good or worthless fruit?