John 15:1-8

 John 15:1-8

This passage is often cited as a promise that we can get whatever we want by prayer.  In reality it is a warning about our condemnation and judgment.  Verse 7 sounds like a blank check of answered prayer.  All that is required is that we abide (love) in Jesus and have faith to name and claim ‘whatever you wish’.  But the context is much more serious than our wishes. 

Jesus says that the purpose of our living is to bear fruit.  This is made possible by our connection to Him.  When we are connected and bearing fruit what ever facilitates our bearing fruit will be done when we ask.  What Jesus promises is that we will at our request be given any and everything we need and want to bear fruit.

This brings the question: what does it mean to bear fruit?  Some say it is moral character development that we see described in the Fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5.  Others think this is a reference to the evangelistic effort of the disciples.  Such a distinction is a false dichotomy.  Character reform that is not active in evangelistic efforts is sterile.  Like a castrated horse or a steer it may grow large individually but will never grow a herd.  Evangelistic efforts without character change will result in corrupt deformed disciple and will ultimately leave the local body in ruins.

The solution is the removal of such limited thinking.  In the same way we cannot fathom a disciple whose life is marked by habitual sin and flagrant corruption, we should find the disciple who is not carrying out the great commission equally incomprehensible.  But the holy living disciple engaged in bearing witness to Christ will manifest both.  

“Lord, give me the opportunities and resources to both make disciples and live a holy life. AMEN”