Anyway, I recently decided to reread The True Vine and felt like I needed to share one particular excerpt on abiding fruit. The following text is from Abide in Christ, a modernized version of The True Vine adapted by Bo Stevens. If you are a leader in ministry/missions/the church in any way, I encourage you to read and meditate on Andrew Murray's take on the work you do. I hope that after reading this you feel as I did - encouraged to pursue Him even more and privileged that He chooses to work through me despite how often I fail Him.
John 15:16 "I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should [abide]."
Some fruits will not keep. One sort of pears or apples must be used right away. Another kind can be saved until next year. In Christian work some fruit doesn't last. There may be plenty that seems to please and edify but leaves no permanent impact on the world or the condition of the church. On the other hand, there is work that leaves its imprint for generations or for eternity. In it the power of God makes itself lastingly felt. That is the fruit Paul spoke about when he described two styles of ministry: "My speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God" (1 Corinthians 2:4-5). The more of man with his wisdom and power, the less of stability; the more of God's Spirit, the more of faith standing in God's power.
Fruit reveals the nature of the tree from which it comes. What, then is the secret of bearing fruit that abides? As our life abides in Christ and as we abide in Him, the fruit we bear will last. The more we allow all that is of human will and effort to be pruned away by the hand of the divine Vinedresser and the more intensely we withdraw from worldly cares so that God can work in us by His Spirit, the more concertedly we abide in Christ, and the more our fruit will abide.
This is a staggering thought! He chose you and appointed you to bear fruit and that your fruit should last. He never intended one of His branches to produce fruit that would not abide. The deeper I enter the purpose of His electing grace, the surer my confidence will become; yes, I produce fruit that will last for all eternity. When I enter this purpose of His electing love, what will occur? I will realize more and more what the link is between the purpose from eternity and the fruit to eternity. The link is the abiding in Him. Now the purpose is His; He will bring it to fruition. The fruit is His; He will bring it forth. The abiding is His; He will maintain it.
If you profess to be a Christian worker, stop for a moment. Ask yourself, Am I leaving a mark for eternity on those around me? My dear sister or brother, it is not your preaching or teaching, your strength of will or power to influence that will make a difference. All depends on your living the truly branchlike life of abiding, a life of close and unbroken fellowship with Christ. It is the branch who abides in Him that brings forth much fruit, fruit that abides.
How would you describe the eternal impact the Lord is making through your life on those He has placed around you?
