Bring Forth The Fruits

by I. T H. Hunter, Edinburgh, Scotland | Category: General | Mar 1993

Ye did not choose Me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that you should go and bear frui4 and that your fruit should abide (John 15:16).

The Lord's coming to earth brought about a crisis for Israel, and a turning point in divine purposes. "When the fulness of the time came, God sent forth His Son... that He might redeem them which were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons" (Gal. 4:4-5). In the parable of Matthew 21:33-46, the Lord brings the crisis to the surface, foretelling not only Israel's rejection of Himself, but also God's rejection of them as a

nation. In this key passage, the Lord informs of a nation that would emerge bringing forth the fruit for God that Israel had failed to produce. In His discourse, the Lord is seen between two groups of people, the nation of Israel represented by its leaders, and the emerging nation, the "little flock" of Luke 12, to he composed of called out discipled ones. He is also seen between two dispensations, one "nigh unto vanishing away", the other yet to

appear. The Lord made two important pronouncements, one of judgement "shall be taken away", and one of promise - "shall be given", and with the promise, surely the implied encouragement of Luke 12:32: "Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom". It would require the death of the Lord Jesus to bring about God's purposes regarding the transferring of kingdom responsibility.

When the Lord was raised from the dead, He came to His disciples from time to time during the forty days of Acts 1:3 speaking to them the things concerning the kingdom of God. He laid out before them His "blueprint" for the establishment of God's kingdom among His disciples. With others, they would contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints, and bring forth the expected fruit. The Lord promised "ye shall receive power... ye shall be My witnesses".

Sadly, in terms of fruitbearing, Israel had yielded little. In Isaiah 5:4, God asked "What could have been done more to My vineyard (the house of Israel), that I have not done in it? Wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes? The prophet Joel says: "The seeds rot under their clods; the garners are laid desolate, the barns are broken down; for the corn is withered" (1:17). Late in their history, John the Baptist had warned "even now is the axe laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore that bringeth

not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire" ~at. 3:10). Would the Lord's words be heeded? Also no, for spiritual poverty lay at their scornful leaders' doors. Those entrusted with responsibility, "you the builders" (Acts 4:11), had betrayed the people. Here then was a nation disillusioned and desolate, the kingdom of God about to be taken from them.

God's expectation of fruitful lives from His people had been high, and the resulting disappointment was great. What of ourselves may we ask, in this our day of opportunity and service? As fellow-workers, God's tilled land, shall we, any more than Israel, deserve the giving of His increase? Though chosen and appointed to go and bear fruit, such privilege must be matched with responsibility and commitment on our part. Only by abiding in Him can fruit be realized to God's glory (John 15).

W.E. Vine gives a helpful definition of "fruit" (Gk. arpos) - "that which is produced by the inherent energy of a living organism" metaphorically "it is the visible expression of power working inwardly and visibly, the character of the fruit being evidence of the character of the power producing it". Ground is sown because there is no crop already in it. Left to itself, it would be unfruitful. Nature's fruit does not appear overnight, it is the result of much labour. Initially there must he filling, sowing, watering, tending, and patient waiting for the harvesting of the precious fruit. Seeds sown singly can with care, soon

mature and become interwoven as a colourful display of unity, giving pleasure. So it can be in the spiritual sphere. Though all different in nature, ability, and the tasks given us, yet within each church the Holy Spirit can blend our several gifts to display harmony and beauty all to God's glory. Something outside of ourselves must first be active to later produce fruit for God. "The seed is the Word of God" (Luke 8:11). Let us have honest and good hearts to hear and hold fast the Word, that the desired fruit may result.

Those who are gardeners know that in the best cared-for gardens, pests and diseases attack healthy as well as sickly plants. How quickly these outside invaders can attack, spoiling all the effort and the resultant fruit. We should take great care to see that visible expressions of hidden lusts, works of the flesh, the fruit of sin, are quickly dealt with (cf. 1. John 2:1517). Many saints, like some plants, survive poor feeling, poor soil, neglect of watering and hazardous attacks. But, need it he so? Today's husbandmen in churches of God must offer protection, give quality nourishment and encourage healthy fellowship. The golden rule for having healthy plants (and saints), is to prevent trouble before it starts and to deal with it quickly once it is seen.

We may he asked to bear fruit in pleasant or hostile environments. We do not question the Lord's will for us. Joseph was a fruitful bough by a fountain whose branches ran over the wall (Gen. 49:22), but earlier he could say

"God hath made me forget all my toil

God hath made me fruitful in the land of my affliction" (Gen. 41:51-52). So, fruitful lives are possible for God either in pleasant places or under trying circumstances. Was there ever such a Chrisflike, fruitful life as Paul's, yet he was called to hunger, thirst and to suffer many perils and persecutions (1 Cor.4:11).

Fruit, more fruit, much fruit "Herein is My Father glorified" (John 15:2,5,8). To make such progress we must abide in the Lord, and be subject to His cleansing and pruning. What a bountiful harvest can result if we allow the Husbandruan's knife to be app~ied! 'This the Lord will do to produce more fruit in our lives.

Bringing forth fruit within the nation is a corporate responsibility. We help each other in our fruitbearing. There are occasions when we may work alone, as on a one-to-one basis, but as a royal priesthood and a holy nation, we are to "shew forth the exellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvellous light" (1 Peter 2:9). To do so takes more than individual efforL

King David's servants did not question the role given to them. They said "Thy servants are ready to do whatsoever my lord the king shall choose' (2 Sam. 15:15). Such an attitude in us the Lord can use, to bring about fruitful lives for Him. He does not measure our success by what we have gained for ourselves, but rather by what we have lost for His sake (Phil. 3:8).

(continued on page 46)

I. T H. Hunter, Edinburgh, Scotland | Mar 1993
General