Abide and Be Fruitful: What Does it Mean? (John 15)
- #LunchDateWithJesus
- Mar 22, 2025
- 3 min read
Discover how staying connected to Jesus leads to lasting impact.
Have you ever woken up and felt like you’re already behind? Before your feet even hit the floor, your mind’s racing with tasks, appointments, and people who need you. It’s easy to launch straight into the day without pausing to breathe, let alone connect with God.
But in that fast-paced rhythm, Jesus offers us a gentle invitation:
Stay with Me. Abide. Remain.
At this month's Lunch Date with Jesus interactive session, we took time to slow down and reflect on John 15:1-8, where Jesus paints a vivid picture of what it means to live a fruitful life, not through striving, but through abiding.
“I am the Vine, you are the branches. If you remain in Me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.” ~ John 15:5 (NIV)
Fruit Is the Result, Not the Focus
Our culture tells us to chase results, outcomes, and visible success. But Jesus reminds us that fruit is never the goal—He is. When we stay connected to Him, fruitfulness becomes a natural result. We don't produce it by effort alone; it's born out of relationship.
And that fruit? It’s not just for us. It blesses others, strengthens the Church, and ultimately brings glory to God, the Gardener who tends and nurtures our growth.
What Does Abiding Look Like in Daily Life?
Abiding sounds beautiful—but what does it actually look like on a Monday morning?
It’s waking up and saying, “Good morning, Lord,” before reaching for your phone.
It’s opening the Bible with a cup of tea before the day kicks off.
It’s whispering a quick prayer during the school run, or asking for wisdom before a difficult conversation.
It’s learning to invite Jesus into every part of your day, not just the quiet moments but the chaotic ones too.
Abiding is about staying aware of His presence and making space for Him to be involved in your ordinary, everyday life.
Pruning Isn’t Punishment
One of the key lessons we touched on was pruning. Jesus tells us that even fruitful branches are pruned so they can bear even more fruit. That means there will be seasons where God removes what’s unnecessary or holding us back.
It may be uncomfortable, but it’s not punishment. It’s preparation.
Four Things We Learned from John 15:1–8
Fruitlessness is not an option – God expects fruit from our lives, and He’s already equipped us to bear it (v.2).
Pruning is part of growth – We need to surrender to His refining work to become even more fruitful (v.2).
Abiding brings intimacy – Staying in His Word and remaining close to Him leads to answered prayer and deeper connection (v.7).
Fruitfulness glorifies God – When others benefit from the fruit of our lives, and turn their praise to God, He is glorified (v.8).
So, Where Is God Asking You to Be Fruitful?
Take a quiet moment and reflect:
Where is the Lord inviting you to slow down, stay connected, and trust Him to do the growing?
Maybe it’s in your relationships, your spiritual disciplines, or a particular calling. Whatever it is, fruitfulness will flow from abiding.
🗓️ Next Lunch Date with Jesus
Saturday, 26th April 20251 PM – 3 PM GMT | On Zoom💬 Come ready to grow, share, and go deeper together.👉 Register here
A Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for reminding me that fruitfulness doesn’t come from striving, but from staying close to You. Help me abide, remain rooted in Your love, anchored in Your Word, and aware of Your presence in every part of my day. Prune what needs to go. Strengthen what needs to grow. And let my life bear fruit that blesses others and brings You glory, in Your name, I pray. Amen.
Let’s stop chasing the fruit and start staying with the Vine. Everything we need flows from there.
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