I shared last week about the need to bear fruit in our inner spiritual life, bearing for instance the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23) which is a change of life—putting off bad habits and putting on good habits. This is natural as we have within us the eternal life and holy life of God. At the same time, God also expects us to bring people to the Lord. What I am referring to here is not just the moment of leading a person in praying the sinner’s prayer of receiving Jesus as Lord and Saviour but that we should be involved and be fruitful for Him in the process of bringing a person to the Lord.

Stages in Conversion

The apostle says that some plant the seed, others water and yet others harvest the fruit. Thus, some share the gospel, others show love and care and bear testimony to the truth of the gospel that was heard, and some finally lead the person to Christ. Of course the effectiveness is most visible when the fruit is harvested, that is, when a person is converted to Christ. However, the reason for the harvest stems from the effectiveness of the various stages of planting, watering and nurturing the seed. The question is: How can you be effective?

How to be Effective in Service?

Jesus in John 15 mentions the critical principle for you to be fruitful: “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing: (John 15:5). You need to abide in Him. But what is abiding in Him? “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” (John 15:7). Simply put, it means that you must live a life of obedience to Christ as instructed in the Word of God, the Bible.

What You Must Do

First, you need to read, hear and understand the Word of God. Thus, it is critical that you have a regular and wholesome intake of God’s Word. Hence, Sunday Worship is very important as this is where the Word of God is preached and explained and where God also gives His special blessings by the illumination of the Holy Spirit. Do you want to be fruitful in your life where you enjoy the abundant life and live a meaningful life because you are used by God to lead people to Christ? Then you must be serious about drinking in God’s word and more importantly, living it out. By faith, obey God’s Word. Second, you need to be prayerful. I am not referring to just setting aside time to pray but a life that is prayerful—praying about all things and always praying because you know you need God to live.

The key to being fruitful both in your inner spiritual life and service to God is this: Live a life totally dependent on Christ. Walk close to Him. Read and live out His word. Be prayerful in all things at all times. Then Christ promises you: “Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit.” (John 15:5). When you have an abundant life, you will be able to transmit life to others. God will give you many and good fruits.