Four ways of understanding the Bible
Part 3 – Fruitfulness
This year, I want to learn how to study the Bible focused on Jesus, and it will have 4 parts.
- Jesus
- Context
- Fruitfulness
- Flourishing
23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
3 He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
for ever.
In lectionaries, which list Bible passages for specific days, the reading from John 15:1-17, where Jesus says, “I am the vine,” is often paired with Galatians 5:16-26 about the fruit of the Spirit. Are the fruits Jesus mentions the same as Paul’s? At first glance, the answer seems to be no, and they don’t have to be. I’ve heard many interpretations, from fruit meaning winning souls in evangelism to being only about inner feelings. To me, not every mention of fruit in the Bible has to mean the same thing; sometimes, fruit is just fruit.
When you step back and consider Jesus’ statement, “I am the vine,” you’ll notice it highlights the role of the Holy Spirit. The promise of the Holy Spirit, referred to as the “Advocate,” is found in John 14:15-26 and 16:4b-15, alongside teachings about the Father’s power. Jesus teaches that we bear fruit by staying connected to him, which is part of the Holy Spirit’s teaching, situated within the broader context of the Father’s power. It’s all very focused on the Trinity.
Paul also does something unique. The Galatians 2 passage lists 15 desires of the flesh and ends with “things like these,” found in Galatians 5:19-21. In contrast, the fruit of the Spirit in verses 22 and 23 is singular. Unlike the gifts of the Spirit, which are given to various individuals, the fruit is singular and should grow as a whole in Christians receptive to the Holy Spirit.
We should focus on biblical interpretations that foster love, joy, and virtues like patience and self-control.
Taking my example of Psalm 23, the blessings of goodness and mercy come from following God, even through tough times, like the valley of the shadow of death. God is with us, producing fruit, even in hard times.
God wants us to be fruitful. But what does that fruit mean to you?
- Is it a harvest of new believers?
- Is it the fruit of the Spirit shown in your character?
- Is it justice in society?
I believe that the fruitfulness of Jessus Christ is all of these, and more.
The Bible and Jesus
Intro | Jesus | Context | Fruitfulness | Flourishing
Making an ass of myself 
Being grafted into the vine Biblically, as branches, means that we produce the fruit that inspires unbelievers to ask the reason for the hope within us. In my opinion, that is. The fruit of godliness isn’t something we branches produce, but is what the Vine itself produces through us.
It is easy for folks to turn this into behavioralism, or other such modes of disciplines that the world admires. But we in the congregation are called to be different and we who strive to be living sacrifices so we can spiritually worship God know that somehow we are different.
Thanks Steve.
love in Him,
your fellow suffering servant,
ga