Much Fruit

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.” (John 12:24)

We are back from another very wonderful and successful camp. Many lives were touched by the Lord Jesus Christ and by the power and grace of his word during the 5 days last week. This was our 14th annual camp, and as we say every year, “It was the best camp ever.” (We will say it again next year.) Every time we do something like this, I come back moved and blessed, and at the same time a little closer to the grave! These events wear me out. Trying to keep up with 50 teenagers and their boundless energy and enthusiasm is tough on an old man like myself. But I would not miss camp for the world. I will do it in a walker someday, but I will still be there.

Jesus told us that life and ministry would be like this. Anything worthwhile in life carries a level of sacrifice, dedication, and commitment with it. I am not complaining, just stating a fact of life that when something is fraught with adversity during the development of it, God is often at work. In the verse above, Jesus was referring to himself and alluding to his coming death on the cross. He could have just stayed in heaven and condemned us all to an eternity apart from him in hell. But instead, he willingly gave his life as a sacrifice for our sins when he did not have to do it. When we trust him as Saviour and give our lives to him, we should expect some of the same type of hardship and adversity. Obviously we will never experience what he did, and I am not in any way suggesting that we can even “touch the hem of his garment” in this or any other area. But a “Christian” is a “little Christ”. We are called to “follow his steps” (I Peter 2:21), and that context deals with suffering and adversity. Paul told us to, “…endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” (II Timothy 2:3) A soldier does not curl up with his “Snuggie” warmly wrapped around him with a good book and cup of hot cocoa (with marshmallows). He is in training constantly, and always in action, ready to discharge his duties with the utmost bravery and dedication. His work is vital, and the fruit of that labor pays dividends for himself and for those he defends.

Romans 6:5 says, “For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection.” Jesus was the “corn (kernel) of wheat” that fell into the ground and died to bring forth the church. A saved person is supposed to be like him. We bring forth fruit only when we willingly give of ourselves and lay down our lives and wishes for the work of the Lord and the benefit of others. Jesus said, “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” (John 15:4-5) Our purpose in life is to bear fruit for the Lord. But you cannot bear fruit until you are planted in his likeness, and die to your own wishes and desires.

But God has promised us that the rewards will be worth it. We are made “conformable unto his death” (Philippians 3:10) – so that we can also be conformed to his resurrection. When we give our lives to his service, the work is often hard, but the fruit is incredibly rich. Nine young people came to know Jesus Christ as their Saviour last week. Fifty more committed their lives to honor him in their dating relationships and trust him to bring them the right person at the right time. The work was hard. We experienced all sorts of adversity the few weeks before camp, and wore ourselves out during it. But in heaven, it will be worth it all. One soul is worth the world (Matthew 16:26); nine of them are worth a lot more. Whatever the adversity, stay with it. Let God “plant” you so you can bring forth fruit. There is no greater thrill in life.