The Lord Jesus Christ taught His disciples that they should bear fruit (John 15:8.) This means that one of the marks of a follower of Christ is bearing fruit. And Christ’s desire for you is to be a fruitful Christian. Therefore, if you call yourself a Christian, you should bear fruit. That’s why a believer must endeavor to be a fruitful Christian.
Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
John 15:16
The Lord Jesus Christ ordained His disciples to bear fruit. This means that one of the purposes of a Christian is to bear fruit. Just as the purpose of a fruit-bearing tree is to bear fruit, for this reason, many Christians are unhappy with their life because they’re not fulfilling their purpose to bear fruit. So if you are a miserable Christian, check yourself to see if you’re a fruitful Christian.
Christ commands us to bear fruit. And His word shows us what kinds of fruit we must produce to be fruitful Christians.
The fruit of helping other believers in need.
25But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints. 26For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem. 27It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things. 28When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain.
Romans 15:25-28
A fruitful Christian must produce the fruit of helping other believers in need. The churches in Macedonia and Achaia decided to contribute to the believers in Jerusalem. This contribution will help the Christians in Jerusalem since they are under great persecution. Paul referred to this monetary contribution as a fruit.
Some Christians don’t produce this fruit because they are selfish. They have forgotten to follow the example of the Lord Jesus Christ’s selflessness (Philippians 2:5-8.)
The fruit of developing Christ-like character.
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23
Fruitful Christians should also bear the fruit of the Spirit, which means developing Christ-like Character. Too many believers call themselves Christians, but you can’t see the fruit of the Spirit in them. It’s either because they’re new believers or carnal Christians. Either way, you need to develop to Christ-like character.
The fruit of praise and thanksgiving.
By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
Hebrews 13:15
There’s also the fruit of praise and thanksgiving to God. You must also learn to develop an attitude of gratitude. You can observe that this is lacking even in our prayers. Christians ask God for many things but neglect to thank Him for all He has done.
the Bible tells us to offer the sacrifice of praise continually. This means you must praise God in every circumstance of life, whether good or bad. Some Christians praise God in the good times but forsake him in the bad times. A fruitful Christian will glorify God in every situation.
The fruit of evangelism: The best fruit a fruitful Christian can produce.
Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.
Romans 1:13
The best fruit a Christian can produce is another Christian. This is the fruit of evangelism. Christians neglect evangelism because of the fear of rejection and laziness. As a result, churches nowadays are filled with believers who are not bearing fruits. No one is being added to their church because they refuse to go and evangelize.
