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It is just like the Holy Spirit to turn what I thought would be a 2-part series into a three-part series, or maybe even a 4-part series.  So, for just a quick review, over the past few weeks, we decided that we are going to stop trying to hide from the Lord, seek His presence and worship Him; trust His sovereignty and lean into the Holy Spirit.   Today, we are going to delve into the idea of what it means to “Bear Good Fruit”.  As we look at Genesis 1:28, God created the earth and after He blessed all living things and said:

Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.” 

In chapter 2 of Genesis, the Lord had not caused it to rain and there was no man to till the ground, therefore, God formed man and breathed into him the breath of life.  He then put Adam in the garden to tend [work in it] and keep it [be productive].  We know that shortly thereafter He created Eve, but I won’t go too deep into that story, but I do want to focus on gaining a better understanding of the phrase, “Be Fruitful”.  We hear that phrase a lot these days, but what does it really mean?  Many times, there are things that we have heard and or learned that we have taken for granted and have not fully understood, that may be crucial as we continue to proceed on the next leg of our spiritual journey.  So, let’s go to the Book of John in the New Testament, as Jesus spoke to His disciples.

Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. 

John 15:4 NLT

When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father. John 15:8

John 15:8 NLT

 This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you.

John 15:12 NLT

What is the fruit that Jesus is referring to?  When we lovingly obey the Word of God, we produce much fruit (the fruit of the Holy Spirit, which is LOVE, joy, peace, and so much more).  “We are supposed to lead lives worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him as (we) bear fruit in every good work.”  As the Apostle Paul spoke to the saints in the city of Colosse, he said:

We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better. We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. Colossians 1:9b-11a

Colossians 1:9b-11a

So, what does all this mean?  For those of us that are being hidden by God”, before He fully reveals our purpose to us, we must be mentally and spiritually prepared to “Bear Good Fruit”!  We must take the Word to God, His Seed, plant it in our hearts, apply it to our lives and produce the Fruit of the Holy Spirit, which is Love, as we touch the lives of others.