The Doctrine of Fruitbearing

Upon receiving Christ as Savior we become new creatures in Him possessing new life (2 Corinthians 5:17). This new life in Christ has need of development and growth. The concept of fruit as the Bible uses it conveys the idea of time and progress. The fruit is not instantly produced. As we supply nourishment and nutrients to our orchard and cultivate the soil around it this new life begins to bear fruit. Unlike Salvation which there is nothing for us to do, fruitbearing requires our participation. We cannot do this alone. We need God's help every step of the way. But we must pursue it. It does not occur automatically or instantly.

1. Definition:

Fruitbearing is the outward, visible, Christ-like character and spiritual production in the life of a believer. It is one of the evidences of Salvation: Matthew 7:15-20; 3:8; 2 Peter 1:3-10.

2. Different categories of Fruitbearing:

a. Winning other to Christ, Romans 1:13.

b. Practical holiness of life, Romans 6:22.

Negatively it means putting off the old man.

Positively it means putting on the new man - to growingly become more like Christ.

Example : Dealing with anger - Ephesians 4:26,27.

Put off: resentment (holding anger in)

Put on: dealing with problems daily.

Example: Dealing with godly communication -Ephesians 4:29.

Put off: unwholesome words which cut others up

Put in: words which build up.

Other passages which show the putoff/puton structure: Ephesians 4:31,32; 1 Peter 3:9; 3 John 11; Hebrews 10:25; Matthew 16:24; 1 Peter 2:11,12; 3:9; 4:2; 5:2,3; Romans 12:16,21; 13:12; 14:17; 15:1,2; Galatians 5:16,19,22; 6:3,4,8.

c. Sharing what we possess - Romans 15:28.

d. Serving the Lord - Colossians 1:10

e. Praising, thanking, and giving testimony about the goodness and greatness of God - Hebrews 13:15.

f. Developing the fruit of the Holy Spirit - Galatians 5:22,23.

3. The Fruitbearing process:

a. Knowing Christ leads to loving Him - John 15:15; 1 John 4:7,8.

b. Loving Christ leads to obeying Him - John 14:23.

c. Obeying Christ leads to abiding in Him - John 15:10.

d. Abiding in Christ leads to fruit bearing - John 15:4,5.

4. The Evidences of Fruitbearing :

a. Spending time in the Word - John 15:10.

b. Spending time in prayer - John 15:7.

c. Confessing our sins to Him - 1 John 1:6.

d. A desire to do His will - John 15:10.

e. Having victory over sin in our lives - Romans 6:22.