Cultivation | Wednesday | 10/28

The Fruit Isn't Just for You

John 15:4–8

Remain in me, and I will remain in you. A branch can’t produce fruit by itself, but must remain in the vine. Likewise, you can’t produce fruit unless you remain in me. ⁵ I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, then you will produce much fruit. Without me, you can’t do anything. ⁶ If you don’t remain in me, you will be like a branch that is thrown out and dries up. Those branches are gathered up, thrown into a fire, and burned. ⁷ If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you. ⁸ My Father is glorified when you produce much fruit and in this way prove that you are my disciples.

Think about a grapevine.

The branch remains connected to the vine, receives its life, and eventually produces fruit.

But here's an interesting question:

Who is the fruit for?

The branch doesn't produce grapes for its own benefit.

The fruit becomes a gift for someone else.

And isn't that a beautiful picture of spiritual formation?

When Christ cultivates patience in your life, someone else gets to experience that patience.

When Christ cultivates generosity, someone else benefits from your generosity.

When Christ cultivates forgiveness, someone else receives grace.

When Christ cultivates perseverance through difficulty, someone else may find encouragement through your example.

Sometimes we imagine spiritual formation as something primarily concerned with our individual growth.

Am I becoming more patient? Am I growing in faith? Am I becoming more like Jesus?

Those are important questions.

But the fruit Christ produces in us is never intended to remain with us alone.

We are cultivated by Christ so that others might experience the goodness of Christ through us.

Our transformation becomes a gift to the people around us.

Reflect: 

What fruit of the Spirit has God been cultivating in your life? Who might benefit from that fruit today?

Pray: 

Jesus, thank you for the ways you are transforming my life. Don't let that transformation end with me. May the love, patience, kindness, and generosity you cultivate within me become gifts to the people around me. Amen.