We live in a crazy world. There is gender confusion as well as people who think men can get pregnant and women do not need men. The result is what you see for yourselves. But why we are quick to shake our heads, what is that we do in the spiritual realm?

The Scriptures say that we will not bear fruit unless we abide in the vine of Jesus (John 15). It has always been that way. It takes two for reproduction – the male and female. And it takes two in a similar way between God and man for there to be fruitfulness.

Not in some crazy, sick sexual way but in the way of intimacy and relationship with our God. It is that secret place of prayer and communion with God where fruitfulness begins.

And yet.

How often do we live busy lives and not lives of prayer and communion with God? Then we are discouraged if we do not see the fruitfulness we hope for in our lives. We’re just busy.

But if we truly want fruitfulness, it takes this deep and intimate connection with God in the secret places with Him. That comes in prayer and communion and obedience. It is spiritually intimate and personal and between us and God. Out of that there is fruitfulness.

Just as with a baby, that fruitfulness takes months to develop and grow into reality. And when it does unfold, it still comes out messy just like a baby.

The truth is, if I’m not living a life of prayer, communion and obedience, not out of duty but out of relationship, it’s understandable why I’m not very fruitful. I need beyond myself to bear fruit.

It’s like the fig tree Jesus taught about. It had all the appearance of fruitfulness without the fruit. It was the religious people he was talking about. They had all the religious works but did not bear fruit that nourished the people.

Am I like the fig tree? I look good, healthy and leafy but no true fruit?

If we abide in him, we will bear much fruit.

If we do not abide in him or casually do so, we are just leafy believers.