John 15:7 – The Fruitfulness of Abiding

John 15:7

⁷ If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, you shall ask what you will, and it shall be done unto you.

As I dug into verse 7 and 8, I discovered something I hadn’t seen before. That’s the exciting thing about studying God’s Word—it’s full of new revelations every time you open and read it.

I’m sure you’re familiar with verse 7. You’ve probably quoted it before to yourself and others. But have you seen it in the context of verse 8? Verse 8 says: ⁸ Herein is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit; so shall you be my disciples.

In verse 7 Jesus is talking about the importance of abiding in Him and He in us. We’ve looked at several previous verses already this month about what it means to be in the Vine. But there is something more in these two verses that really excites me and I trust you will get excited also.

Jesus gave the key to abiding in Him: being connected with Him in a personal relationship. From that relationship He dwells in us. Because He is IN you and you are IN Him then as verse 7 declares, you have confidence to ask what you will of Him, confident that He hears you and will answer. Jesus said it was the Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom (all that Jesus provided for you through the Cross).

Now, couple that with verse 8: Herein is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit… When the Word of God dwells in you, God will be glorified, Jesus will be exalted, and you will bear fruit.

You can’t keep fruit hidden when you are hooked into the Vine. When you’re feeding on Jesus and digesting His love and grace, fruit will be evident. The Greek phrase in verse 7 for will be done unto you means fruit, fruitful.

The hard work is over. You can’t try to produce the fruit in your own efforts. Just let the Word take root, grow, and flourish in your life and you will bear much fruit to the glory of God. You’ll be fruitful. Others will see and want what you have.