Is It Fruitful?

Have you ever been bamboozled by the garden shops in the spring? You walk down the aisles of beautiful little seedlings and dream of all the home-grown vegetables flourishing in your garden, providing fresh produce for your family. But after spending more money than you planned to, you end up with stunted plants that never do much more than take up space and remind you of your gardening failure all summer long.

And yet, how many times have you found yourself making the same mistake the very next spring? How many summers in a row did you buy the plants and find yourself with an unfruitful garden? Sometimes we can get so caught up in the idea of something, that we don’t stop and evaluate if what we are doing, or how we are doing something, is fruitful.

When we consider the Christian life, Jesus gives us a clear picture of the purpose of our lives as branches, grafted into the life-giving vine of Jesus: fruit bearing.

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 

“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. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” – John 15:5

This verse illustrates over and over that God’s desire is our fruitfulness; made possible by the life-giving work of Jesus inside of us. Not only that, but the areas bearing fruit are subject to pruning so that they become even more fruitful! If you haven’t noticed the gardener in this illustration is obsessed with abundant fruit. And to be clear, this fruit talked about is not earthly fruit of money, wealth or success, but rather the fruit of the Spirit commonly marked by the qualities of Galatians 5:22-23.

But as we raise our children, how often are we making decisions by evaluating their spiritual fruitfulness? I think the common driving factor in much of how we parent is often based on societal norms, pressure from friends, pressure from the culture, or even convenience. So many parents discuss the negative impacts smartphones have had on their children, or the insane busyness of constant sporting events. Yet, often the consensus is that these things are just a part of life and they can’t be avoided. Don’t be so easily trapped in a way of life that’s not working.

As Christians we should have a completely different mindset. We have been redeemed from the futile ways of this world by the precious blood of Jesus! That changes the entire purpose of our lives.

“Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.” – 1 Peter 1:13-20

When weighing decisions that we’ve made, we’d be wise to start asking: “Is it fruitful?” Does this lead our family closer to Jesus? Are we more engaged and in love with God’s Word because of this? Does this decision, lifestyle or choice lead us or our children to bring forth the fruit of the Spirit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control? Do I see this choice leading to fruitfulness for the kingdom of God?

If we are honest and find the answer is “no,” then what would keep us continuing in this direction? Allowing unfruitful areas in our lives has real consequences. They crowd out the opportunities for what Jesus desires for us - a fruitful union with him. They consume our precious resources of time and energy. They distract us and clutter our minds from craving God’s Word.

They may keep us busy and even temporarily happy, but if they are unfruitful or even damaging to our faith, then the best course of action is to pray, get out the pruners and be aggressive.