John 15:1-2 (NKJV) “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.”
Bearing the fruit is not optional in the Christian life. Bearing fruit is a result of obedience to the Word of God and the Holy Spirit.
John 15:9-12 (AMPCE) “I have loved you, [just] as the Father has loved Me; abide in My love [continue in His love with Me]. 10 If you keep My commandments [if you continue to obey My instructions], you will abide in My love and live on in it, just as I have obeyed My Father’s commandments and live on in His love. 11 I have told you these things, that My joy and delight may be in you, and that your joy and gladness may be of full measure and complete and overflowing. 12 This is My commandment: that you love one another [just] as I have loved you.”
“If you keep my commandments” and “if you bear fruit” mean the same thing. Or at least we can say that fruit-bearing includes keeping the commandments of Jesus. And if we ask what is it in this context that Jesus means by “commandments,” the answer again is love. “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”
Love is fulfilling the commands of Jesus. And fulfilling the commands of Jesus is at least part of what it means to bear fruit.
The second question that Jesus answers here about fruit-bearing is how it can be accomplished. The answer he gives (and the word is repeated ten times) is: “Abide in me and I in you”
John 15:4 (NKJV) “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.”
Keep yourself attached, closely attached, to the vine, Jesus.
How do we remain in the Vine?
Abide in the Vine – John 15:7 (NKJV) “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you” The inwardly abiding word is believing the Word (Bible) and cherish it.
Abide in Love – John 15:9 (NKJV) “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.” Christ’s present love for me is his commitment to give me, right now and forever, everything that is good for me. Therefore, abiding in his love means constantly receiving as from his loving hand all things as are good for me. It means never doubting that he is doing me good, but always resting in his kindness.
Bear Fruit for the Glory of God John 15:8 (NKJV) “By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.”