God Still Speaks

The secret of fruitfulness is found in this chapter. Here we see the Fathers desire for his children to be fruitful. The pruning is simply God working in us removing "dead wood" so that new life and fruit can come forth. The cleansing for pruning comes through the word. (vs 3). Gods word bings correction, instruction, and reproof. The Holy Spirit reveals the word and uses it as a sharp two edged sword to remove the dead wood and conform us to Christs image. The secret to bear fruit is "Abiding in Christ". He is the source of our bearing fruit. We cannot bear fruit alone. The more of ourselves we give to Christ, the more He is able to bring out fruit. Vs 6 Being thrown into fire is not a bad thing. God is a consuming fire. As we are thrown into the fire, God burns up the dry areas and whithered parts so that we will bear more fruit. Gods ultimate desire is for us to be fruitful and will take us through the process for our lives to bring glory to Him. Vs 7, if we abide in Him and his Word abides in us we can ask what we will and it will be done. God is glorified that we bear much fruit and fruitful people are called Disciples. There is a difference between a beleiver and a disciple. Disciples bring forth fruit!