Alva Review-Courier -

I was watering my garden and noticed that my tomato plants had some ripe fruit ready for me to pick. It was a joy to see the tomatoes there because I wasn’t even trying to grow a tomato plant this year. This plant had sprung up from some old seeds that had fallen on the ground from last year. The only thing I’ve mostly been doing has been watering the plant; it has produced fruit all on its own without much effort.

Jesus promises us the same in John 15:5, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” We are taught that if we build and strengthen our relationship with Jesus Christ, he promises us that we will bear much fruit. There is no other condition than to remain in Jesus Christ and we will bear much fruit. What an amazing promise Jesus has for us.

So, what is the fruit we are to bear? If we read a little further down, we see in John 15:10 Jesus saying, “If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.” I truly believe that the fruit we are to bear is the love of God. Just as a fruit bears the image of the plant, so we are also to bear the image of God. So, as we are obedient to Jesus and following his commandments to love each other, he will provide the love needed to make it happen. I can’t imagine a better gift to give someone than the love of God.

I’ve seen how the love of God has healed many people from traumatic experiences. I’ve seen it give comfort to those who are hurting. I’ve seen the love of God work in miraculous ways in people’s lives. How amazing is it that God picks you and me to go around in our daily lives to share his amazing love with others. Don’t focus on the fruit you will bear, but remember to focus on Jesus Christ and he will make the rest happen.