Bear Fruit (Part 2)
How to glorify God
===
If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.
John 15:7-8 (ESV)
===
The Westminster Shorter Catechism tells us that the chief end of people is to “glorify God and enjoy Him forever.”
So, how do we glorify God?
Jesus tells us.
By bearing much fruit.
It stands to reason that we should find out what this fruit is.
The first one that comes to mind is, of course, the Fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
It’s important to point out that it’s not fruit that you or I can grow ourselves … it’s God’s fruit that He grows within us. So, if I’m lacking one of those, then I can’t just force myself to improve. Instead, I need to pray and trust the Holy Spirit to grow the fruit in me.
But there’s another kind of fruit:
The souls of people.
Remember, “be fruitful and multiply.”
Bearing fruit — and thus bringing glory to God — also means growing disciples and bringing new disciples into the kingdom.
So, if I want to do something with eternal returns, then the best thing I can do is bear fruit.
Either allowing the Spirit to be fruit within me … or … be guided by the Spirit to help plant seeds & grow new fruit (disciples) through me.
The task is obvious and impossible …
… without the work of the Holy Spirit.
Yet one more reason why it’s paramount to spend time in God’s Word and grow in my relationship with Him.
— Ricky Ketchum
Copyright © 2025 by Ricky Ketchum. All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication prohibited.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NET) are from the NET Bible® copyright ©1996, 2019 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from the ESV®Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright© 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked (NKJV) are from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.