The more we become like Christ, the more our thinking shifts from self-satisfaction to God-satisfaction. Jesus prayed, “I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.” (Jn 17:4) The work God gave his Son to do was not easy. Jesus had to persevere… and so must we: “You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.” (Heb 10:36)
In the parable of the sower Jesus explains what happens when the Word of God is spread. The devil snatches it from many hearts before faith takes root. Others believe for a while but when the times of testing come, they fall away. Others are overcome by life’s worries, riches, and pleasures. “But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.” (see Lk 8:11-15)
No one has produced more fruit than Jesus and he teaches us the way. Through hardship and loss; through criticism and slander; through temptation and opposition from the devil… Jesus kept his eyes on the Father. His critics even accused him of being possessed by demons. “I am not possessed by a demon, but I honor my Father and you dishonor me. I am not seeking glory for myself, but there is one who seeks it, and he is the judge… If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me.” (see Jn 8:49-54)
Jesus persevered by keeping total trust in his Father, and we are to do the same. There is only one source of lasting fruit. When we chase the compliments of men and try to look good in the eyes of the world, we may gain self-satisfaction but we miss what is most important. “Apart from me you can do nothing.” To produce fruit and bring glory to the Father, we must steadfastly remain in the Son. In Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit, we are able to persevere and accomplish the will of the Father. May we encourage each other and may we receive encouragement from our Teacher.
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” John 15:1-8