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NASB | John 15:8 "My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | John 15:8 "My Father is glorified and honored by this, when you bear much fruit, and prove yourselves to be My [true] disciples. |
Subject: No Fruit? |
Bible Note: John, Thanks for the response. It’s actually turned out to be a good discussion. Lot’s to consider and work through :-) I would say most assuredly making disciples is included in the fruit. Just a quick example! John 15:10 (NASB) 10 "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. Matthew 28:18-20 (NASB) 18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Keep in mind. I have not said that the number of converts is the measure of the fruit that is produced. In fact I believe this is in part what Doc was pointing out and which I understand. Correct me if I miss represent you Doc :-) We sometimes view numbers as a direct correlation to success. But one need only look at many of the mega churches where Christ is never preached and see numbers is not the best indicator. You ask “Question I have to ask myself: If we abide in Him, and His love, how is it that we, move on, and to where do we move?” Well, consider this. John 15:2 (NASB) 2 "Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. From this we can understand that at a minimum, there must be fruit! And what does it say, every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit.” So, there is a progression here, from fruit to more fruit. And in verse 5 we see “much fruit”. So, despite ones view that making disciples is or is not fruit, how does one not move on and produce more fruit and even much fruit? If there is one who completely abides in Him, I would travel far to observe him if only for a day! Steve |