Deeply Convicted

BEARING FRUIT
by David Wilkerson

There is a portion of Scripture that convicts me deeply. Jesus
said, "I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every
branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away; and every
branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more
fruit. . . If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and
is withered; and men gather them and cast them into the fire, and
they are burned" (John 15:2, 6).

I have read and re-read these powerful words of Christ, and I cannot
escape their convicting power. The Holy Spirit has impressed upon
me the importance of understanding these words, "My Father is
the husbandman . . . every branch in me that beareth not fruit he
taketh away."

This matter of Christians bearing fruit is not optional with God. He
watches over His vine and all the engrafted branches with great
jealousy and concern, patiently waiting for the branches to bring
forth fruit. He stands beside it with pruning knife in hand, lovingly
watching for the slightest evidence of corruption, blight or disease
which could hinder growth. God expects fruit from every branch.
Without fruit, it is impossible to honor and glorify Him or be a true
disciple of Christ. Jesus said: "Herein is my Father glorified, that
ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples" (John 15:8).

Bearing fruit has everything to do with pleasing God-fulfilling our
mission in Christ- and with having our prayers and petitions
answered. Jesus said, "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" (verse 16).

Actually, bearing fruit concerns what we are becoming, rather than
simply what we are doing. I am bearing fruit when there is nothing
hindering the flow of the life of Christ into me. That is what Jesus
meant when He said, "Now ye are clean through the word which I
have spoken unto you" (John 15:3). He is saying, "Because you
believed My word-trembling over it, letting it reveal every hidden
secret, bringing to light every dark thing, allowing the Word of God
to purge you-the hindrances are all gone!"

-Source-

http://www.worldchallenge.org/en/node/22427