That Your Fruit Should Remain

How do we know when we have been successful making disciples?

Are we really reproducing that which Jesus expected when He said we should be "teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you" (Matt 28:18-20) In John 15 He says that He appointed us to bear fruit, fruit that lasts! This is all in the context of abiding in Him and loving one another... Actually you should read it now;

“As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.
“These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. These things I command you, that you love one another.

As I have been considering this (opening) question God has been speaking to me about fruit. Jesus said that we can tell a tree by its fruit. We can know if we are successful by observing the fruit of our ministry.

Well that's all good but "fruit" is kind of a vague term and can be stretched to mean all kinds of things. Such as numbers, buildings, and even dollars. But what fruit is He looking for?

Thoughts on fruit...

1. God gives the increase (1 Corinthians 3)
   Even though we have the responsibility to plant and water we must have faith that God will bring the increase. Like Paul said we are to lay a foundation of Jesus Christ in peoples lives and trust the Lord of the harvest with the rest.
2. Our very lives are seeds (John 12:24-26)
   Jesus says here "if anyone serves Me, let him follow Me". He is speaking about His death and invites us to follow Him. He says "unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain". Not only that He says the Father will honor those who serve Him. Are we willing to be dead to self so others can live? Count the cost!
3. The fruit is Character in the Holy Spirit (Gal 5)
   Many of us are familiar with the list of the "fruit of the Spirit" but the preceding list is also good to take a look at and compare what is actually growing on our trees. Fruits abound but are they the fruit of His Spirit or the flesh? If the people you are discipling are displaying the fruit of the Spirit you can be sure that you have sown good seed!
4. Fruit is a gift of God and is eternal! (Rom 6)
   "But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered"! Not going to say much here go read Romans 6.
5. Its really important! (Jude)
   Jude, sometimes a forgotten book, is a good warning for us. He says of certain men that they are; "late autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, pulled up by the roots" Why such a strong rebuke? Simply put, they were unloving in their attitudes, actions, and speech. Lord help us to tame our tongue! It is not enough to be correct we must be loving!
6. Endure and be encouraged! (Col 1:3-8)
   And now a little encouragement from Paul of what happens when we see fruit in those we disciple...

   "We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints; because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel, which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth; as you also learned from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf, who also declared to us your love in the Spirit."

"Lord, we want to bear lasting fruit, teaching others to obey all you have commanded. It is a honor to lay down ourselves for the sake of Your Kingdom. Dying a thousand deaths let us bring many to life in You. Give us Your grace to follow You."

Abide in Him...Love one another...Die to self...Live in the Spirit...Trust the growth to Him...Go and bear fruit, fruit that lasts!