FRUIT THAT WILL LAST & Why It’s Linked to Answered Prayer
The Lord made this interesting statement:
“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.”
What exactly is “fruit that will last? And why did he link it to answered prayer? The answers are a little convoluted, but everything makes sense once we put the pieces of the puzzle together…
The Greek word for ‘fruit’ in this verse is karpos (kar-POSS), which is the same word for the fruit of the spirit in Galatians 5:22-23. Producing the fruit of the spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, etc.—is the result of walking in spirit as opposed to walking in the flesh; in other words, being spirit-controlled rather than flesh-ruled.
In certain contexts ‘fruit’ can be a work too, such as the sacrifice of praise being the “fruit of lips” that confess Christ in Hebrews 13:15. Or consider the “harvest” of new believers Paul talked about in Romans 1:13-16. Literally speaking, a ‘harvest’ doesn’t just apply to a crop of grains, but fruits or vegetables as well.
Bearing Fruit in Every Good Work
I bring up fruit and works because the Bible exhorts believers to “bear forth fruit in every good work” (Colossians 1:10), which shows that we’re to produce fruit of the spirit while performing whatever good work we do. This reveals that it is possible to do a good work and not produce fruit of the spirit doing it, like love, which is the primary fruit of the spirit and “binds them all together in perfect unity” (Colossians 3:14). In short, you can do a good work in the flesh, such as give to the poor, go to assembly, sing a worship song, teach a sermon or preach the message of Christ.
For instance, Carol & I were treated out to eat at a fancy restaurant by a couple, but the husband’s heart obviously wasn’t into it. He was doing a “good work,” sure, but he wasn’t walking in the spirit doing it. While the food was good, fellowshipping with the guy wasn’t enjoyable. Carol & I would much rather eat lesser food in a more modest environment with a spirit of love à la Proverbs 15:17.
Works That Will Last vs. Works That Will Be Burned Up
The works we produce will be tested at the judgment seat of Christ wherein any works produced from the flesh or fleshly motives will be categorized as “wood, hay and straw” and burned up. In other words, they won’t last. This can be observed here:
11For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. 14If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. 15If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.
1 Corinthians 3:11-15
Although this passage contextually refers to the testing of the work of pastors and teachers, aka fivefold ministers, we can apply it to all Christians because every believer is called to serve the Lord on this Earth, even though the majority is not called to pastoral/teaching ministry. Each Christian will have works that God calls him or her to do and these works will be appraised at the Judgment Seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10).
For example, God will call Christians to witness to certain people in their lives; this work will ultimately be tested at the Judgment Seat. Their motives will be evaluated: Did they witness to these people because they love them as God loves them and are following the leading of the Holy Spirit or did they witness to them to fulfill an evangelistic quota or to appear pious? Both of these smack of religious legalism as opposed to genuine Christianity. Needless to say, works produced from fleshly motives are “wood, hay and straw” and will be burned up.
For anyone who doubts that good works can be rooted in the flesh see Philippians 1:15-17.
Produce Fruit in Keeping With Repentance
Another key verse to consider is Matthew 3:8, which states that we are to “produce fruit in keeping with repentance” (also in Luke 3:8). You see, we can only produce the “fruit of righteousness” (Philippians 1:11) if we’re “keeping with repentance” à la this passage:
8If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:8-9
This text shows that humble confession/repentance is necessary to be forgiven of sin and cleansed of unrighteousness on a daily basis and thus walk in a state of righteousness before God in Christ, i.e. a state of grace. You see, unconfessed sin clogs up your spiritual arteries while humbly keeping ‘fessed up ensures God’s grace (favor) flowing in your life (Psalm 36:9) for “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble” (James 4:6 & 1 Peter 5:5).
Faith Works in Love
Yet another key text to consider is Galatians 5:6, which reveals that faith works in love. Let’s read this verse from a few translations:
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.
English Standard Version
For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
King James Version
For [if we are] in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but only faith activated and expressed and working through love.
The Amplified Bible
To explain, our covenant with God is a contract of faith. As such, everything we receive in our covenant is by faith, including salvation (Ephesians 2:8) and answers to prayer (Mark 11:24 & James 1:6). If we walk in the flesh rather than walk in the spirit, we won’t be walking in the primary fruit of the spirit, which is agape love. Since “faith works in love,” if we’re not walking in love, it naturally cancels out our faith and will thus hinder our prayers, as well as our Christian service in general.
The only law New Covenant believers are under is the law of Christ, which is the law of love (Galatians 6:2 & 1 Corinthians 9:21). This law corresponds to the two greatest moral commands of the Bible, as revealed here:
36“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
37Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:36-40
There are three applications of these two commands: LOVE GOD and LOVE OTHERS as you LOVE YOURSELF. Anyone who does this automatically fulfills all the moral law of the Torah. “Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law” (Romans 13:10).
Please keep in mind, however, that there’s such a thing as walking in tough love when necessary. In other words, walking in agape love does not mean being a doormat to abuse, which you can get details on here.
Reading John 15:16 With All of These Things in Mind
Let’s now reread our main text with a better understanding of the things it entails:
“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.”
Believers who are bearing righteous fruit that will last are the believers who are “bearing fruit in every good work” that they do. This means they’re walking in the spirit as opposed to walking in the flesh, which includes “keeping with repentance.” Not only will such works “survive” when we stand before the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:10 & 1 Corinthians 3:12-15), our prayers will be answered during our service on Earth since “faith works in love” and faith is the requisite for answered prayer.
It helps to remember that, while we are saved by God’s graciousness through faith and not by works (Ephesians 2:8-9), that passage goes on to say:
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
In short, our Creator expects to see a harvest of good works, albeit done while walking in the spirit (as opposed to the flesh) and the fruit thereof.
‘Isn’t This Too Hard?’
Some of these things we’ve gone over might strike believers who are not very familiar with the basics of New Covenant Christianity as “too hard.” This kind of response is understandable and can even be observed in the Bible, with some disciples unfortunately deciding to leave the Messiah (John 6:60 & 6:66).
But be encouraged and please keep in mind that God relates to people according to the light they have (John 9:39-41,). For instance, the Lord deals differently with a believer who is in his/her first few years of salvation as opposed to someone who’s been a believer for 37 years and is very versed in the Scriptures along with much experience in the things of God in general.
The LORD takes into consideration things like the person’s stage of spiritual growth, their talents, calling, and access to knowledge, as well as understanding of that knowledge. As Yeshua said, “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” (Luke 12:48).
You could put it this way: If you’re a half-pint, live up to being a half-pint; if you’re a gallon, live up to being a gallon; if you’re a two-ton tank, live up to being a two-ton tank.
Let me close by emphasizing that God is love (1 John 4:16) and therefore is greatly compassionate & merciful with his children:
8 The Lord is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and rich in love.
9 The Lord is good to all;
he has compassion on all he has made.
Psalm 145:8-9
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Hebrews 4:14-16
Related Topics:
God Deals with People According to the Light They Have
How to Walk FREE OF THE FLESH by being Spirit-Controlled
TEMPTATION, TRIALS and TESTS — What’s the Diff?
Judgment Seat of Christ (the Judgment of Believers)
Legalism — Understanding its Many Forms
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