It is very important that the subject of fruit-bearing in the life of the Christian be a constant focus. By mentioning levels of fruit-bearing in John 15, our Lord teaches us the essentials of how to “increase productivity.”

Our Lord points out that there are some branches that don’t bear any fruit at all (John 15:2). This signifies branches that are lifeless and are unnecessary and therefore burned up. The spiritual application is obvious Any person who bears no fruit at all is not a true believer and will taken away to hell fire one day.
 
Our Lord proceeds to teach us that even though all true branches will be fruit-bearing, some will be more productive than others. He is very specific in pointing out that some will produce “fruit”[level 1] (John 15:2), some will produce “more fruit” [level 2] (John 15:2), and some will produce “much fruit” [level 3] (John 15:5, John 15:8). The question we must ask ourselves is, how can we get to that “much fruit” level? As Christians, what can we actually do to “increase productivity”?

First, we can produce more fruit primarily by purging. Of “Level 1” branches, Jesus teaches that he will purge them, therefore making them capable of bearing “more fruit” (John 15:2). Kathairō (G2508) is a verb and it means “to cleanse or prune, to make free from any inappropriate mixture.” We get our English words catharsis and cathartic from this word. As Jesus, the vinedresser prunes and cleans the small shoots, mildew, and fungus from the branches, God, the Father takes away from our lives anything that makes our progress sluggish and hindering to our growth which prevent fruit-bearing.

Second, we can produce more fruit by our permanence in Christ. “abiding” in Christ is what our Lord teaches in John 15:4-5. In the same way that a deep-rooted plant will be more productive than a new plant, Christians will produce more fruit the longer we abide in Christ.

Third, we can produce more fruit by propagation. As the old saying goes, “Anyone can count the seeds in an apple, but no one can count the apples in a seed.” A true saying indeed. As the Christian produces fruit in the shape of change lives as well as other kinds of fruit, they will also produce fruit in a perpetual progression.
 
As Christians, we must each examine our hearts and ask ourselves, “When it comes to fruit-bearing, what level am I at?” “Am I at my full potential in glorifying the Vine or could I do more?” “In order to increase my productivity, what needs pruning?”

Review and Meditation: According to 2 Tim.1:3, what was Paul thankful to God for (“pure” is the noun katharos). What’s involved in the being “pure” (katharos) heart according to 2 Tim. 2:22?


 
Purge - (Greek kathairō  )  
Pronounced kath-ah’ee-ro
ΑΒΓΔΕΖΗΘΙΚΛΜΝΞΟΠΡΣΤΥΦΧΨΩ
"It is written, "'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" - Jesus Matt. 4:4
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