Connect with Jesus and Bear Fruits

Get connected & bear fruits in Christ

Let's go through John chapter 15 and get to know how to get connected with our Lord Jesus.

In John 15:1-2 says that, Jesus is the true vine, our heavenly Father is the husbandman /farmer/ gardener & we are branches. Our father cast away every branch in Jesus that does not bear fruits. But prune every branch that bear fruits, so that they may bear more fruits in future too. Let's take note and remember this. That our heavenly Father is watching us all the time. He's expecting fruits from our lives. What are these fruits? In Galatians 5:22-23 the fruits are described. They are love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness & temperance.

The Word Jesus spoke can sanctify our souls.(John 15:3) Jesus said that we are clean through the Word He has spoken to us. The Messiah Jesus ask us to be in Himself to bear fruits as the branch cannot bear fruits itself unless connected to the branch. (John 15:4) Here Jesus reminds us that we are nothing without him. If we are in Jesus & He in us we may bear much fruit.

If someone is not in Jesus, that person will be cast out & his/her life will be withered. So at the judgement, withered branches will be thrown to the eternal fire. Let's take a look at this. We know if we cut out a branch from a tree, it remains like live for 2-3 days and starts withering. Likewise are our lives. When we disobey the Lord & get disconnect with Himself, our lives may not experience sudden withering or loss of things. But from the time we break His commandments we are dying inside like the branch started withering after few days. The results appear after some time. But we are dying & slowly walking in the path of hell.

Our prayers would be answered if we abide in Christ & the Word of God is in us

Jesus glorified our heavenly Father by every work He did. Every miracle, sign & wonder glorified God. Jesus says when we bear fruits we become true disciples in Christ and glorify the Father. Let's remember that Jesus selected disciples to be with Him. Because of things we do mentioned in above paragraphs, we stay in Him. Therefore automatically we become disciples.

In John 15:9,10 Jesus asks us to be dipped in His love.  How much the Father loves Jesus, that much Jesus loves us. How great that is? Can you imagine how much you are loved? Hallelujah!! Hey wait. But there's a condition. This happens only if we keep His commandments. As Jesus kept Heavenly Father's commandments, Jesus remained in Father's full love.

Why repentence needed in Jesus for our sins?

 "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand"

One day Jesus was at the temple of the Lord. While Jesus was teaching the gospel, a bunch of scribes & pharisees came with an adultery woman. She has been caught while committing adultery. They questioned our Lord, is it okay whether they stone her according to the law of Moses? And asked Lord about His judgement on her. Our Lord sat down & with His finger started writing on the ground. Then Jesus said, "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her"(John 8:7 KJV) Hearing that saying, everyone from the youngest to the eldest left that place leaving Jesus and that woman there. Then our Lord said, "go and sin no more". (Read More on John 8:1-11)

Let's look at the characters of scribes & pharisees. These people were with lot of pride, full of biblical knowledge, who liked to be famous etc. Aren't we the same? 
We sin sometimes more than non-believers & don't repent. But we think that we are higher than others(non believers, sinners etc). In Mathew 3:9 the scriptures tell that 

"Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham."

 

This video from Bible Project Team describes what Sin is.  

The word repentance is not sounding good for many Christians. For some it's like taking a bitter medicine. But we know after swallowing it, it goes inside and brings us some relief. Repentance too acts same. So let's have a look on what happens when we repent.

1. Through repentance God forgives our sins, purify us & restores us

We feel guilty to go in front to the presence of God after sinning. We are ashamed of what we have done. We are feared to ask for forgiveness from Him. We question ourselves "Will God forgive me? will God accept me again as His child? " In 1 John 1:9 (KJV) it says, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Therefore we need to confess our sins in front of our Lord.

We have to keep in mind that we didn't choose God, but His grace found us while we were sinners. God hates sin, but loves the sinner. In Zechariah 1:3 (KJV) it tells that "Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Turn ye unto me, saith the Lord of hosts, and I will turn unto you."

2. Repentance make us humble in Lord

Think a while. The Lord ask to repent now. But you may feel inside that your mind is not ready or your mind tells you that you don't need to do so. Something inside is blocking you from taking that action. What's that? The factor that cause such is called pride. 

What is pride? Pride is the key component that Satan uses to control your life. It's like a remote in his hand. When pride is injected to you, you tend to think that the way you think, what you think is correct & acceptable than what God commands us to obey. Pride makes us to neglect the word of God & trust in our selves, our own way of thinking. Pride is a spiritual blindness. Sometimes it makes us think that things in bible doesn't fit to day today life, not fitting modern world, obsolete etc.

Humbleness is the is the opposite of pride. Humbleness is an agreement with the truth. We know the way & the truth & the life is none other but our Lord Jesus Christ. Paul says that repentance lead us to the truth. In Proverbs 3:34 (KJV) it says "Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he give grace unto the lowly". See His grace is with the humble people. In James 4:6(KJV) it says "God resist the proud, but give grace unto the humble"

 

3.When we repent Satan move far away from us

When we disobey God & sin more, we move more to the Satan. When we do the will of the darkness, Satan can easily build his fortress in our selves. Further he bombard our mind with negative thoughts about God. Fill our lives with sadness, bitterness & makes us poor. But when we repent His chains, cords get broken by the blood of our Lord Jesus & release our selves from bondage.

In James 4:7-8 (KJV) it says,"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded." Let's give our selves to Jesus, who created us in His own image. Because He knows what's best for us. (For more to get know about Lord's plan in our lives read Does Jesus knows the situations we are going through?)

Therefore commit your selves to Jesus. Resist the sin. Repent. Seek God with repentance. Clean your hands & hearts with repentance. when you do these the devil cannot hold your more. You win by the blood of Jesus.

4. Repentance cut out inherited curses & let experience a bunch of blessings

Sin leads us to eternal death. You were created here on this earth not to suffer. We suffer with illnesses, incurable diseases, generational curses, demonic bondage, limitations in progress, family curses because of this sin. In Isaiah 53:5(NKJV) says that Christ suffered to give us freedom from all these.

"But He was wounded for our transgressions
He was bruised for our iniquities
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him
And by His stripes we are healed"

Sin removes joy from your life & fill your life with sadness. It weakens the relationship with you & God stopping all heavenly blessings.

But as said above, repentance & accepting Lord as our savior washes our dirty clothes with His blood opening us the gates of eternal life at heaven. Repentance establishes our connection with God opening the gates of blessings. 

Enjoy this hymn about showers of blessings which promises in our lives.

 

Offer this prayer to accept Jesus as your redeemer

Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I turn from my sins and invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior. Amen!

Reference:

5 Reasons You Should Repent – Again and Again   

Sinners prayer