Thoughts

• In John 15:8 Jesus says, “By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.” So if we are going to be Jesus’ disciples, we need to live for God’s glory, by bearing much fruit. We can bear fruit by praising God or by making an impact on others, but two portions of scripture talk about two specific kinds of fruit we can produce.
• We can produce the fruit of character as we allow God to control us through the Holy Spirit. In Galatians 5:22-23 Paul says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” Character is what is on the inside, and these are characteristics that all of us should have if we are going to glorify God.
• We can also produce the fruit of conduct, letting our good character manifest itself through good works. In Philippians 1:11 Paul prays that the Philippian Christians might be “filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” Jesus helps us to be righteous, which glorifies God.
• A good verse to end with is Matthew 5:16 where Jesus says, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” As we bear fruit of character and conduct, God is glorified.