Beyond organic: bearing pure fruit that attracts others to its source

By Dean Collins

It seems in almost everything we are pressed to clarify our position. Many allow no gray or middle ground. We must be all for or all against, all in or completely out. In or around elections we are inundated with relentless commercials, texts, and calls that demand a clear choice because it is either this candidate or the world as we know it will end.

For some, this is true even with regard to where we get our food. When I moved from Florida to Georgia at 18 to work and attend college, I discovered true southerners and their passion for gardening. I became convinced that a tomato from someone’s garden always tasted better than the tomatoes at the grocery store. It was a step toward the idea of organic gardening. But back then there didn't seem to be a fuss like we have today about chemicals to kill weeds or bugs. Now in every grocery store we have an option of organic or nonorganic fruits and vegetables, along with shelves, freezers, and coolers filled with organic meat, wheat, and even organic soaps and detergents. Now to be clear, I’m not making a statement for or against organic. This is just an observation.

But I got to thinking about organic farming when I came again to John 15. “I am the true vine,” Jesus said, “and my Father is the vinedresser or gardener.” God from creation onward has been in the farming business. We humans are his preferred cultivar, a unique variety created in the image of the divine. I am guessing we are therefore about as organic and pure as ever was or will be.

Challenged to stay connected

During Advent as we anticipate the celebration of God’s greatest gift of a Savior, we also prepare our hearts and minds for his final return when he comes to restore all things. Now in the in-between, Jesus gives us clear instructions about gardening. We, as branches sourced by the hand of God, are to stay or abide solely in the vine of Jesus our Savior.

We are not asked to pursue anything extra in order to produce fruit. In fact, it is just the opposite. We are told that we cannot produce fruit on our own. Our production is directly tied to a pure and holy source, Jesus. Abiding in Christ is the key to living productively. We have no need for outside sources of help. We are to live as Aaron Williams sings in his beautiful prayer to God, “I depend on you.”

Apart from our source of divine love and life we can do nothing that lasts. Yes, we see examples of shiny and flashy attempts at something good that looks like it has a long shelf life, yet time and time again those things spoil, rust, rot, and fade away. Only the pure source of life produces long-lasting and eternal results.

Chosen to bear fruit

At Christmas, we are reminded of what Jesus states in John 15: God chose us. We had nothing to do with his decision to send his Son as our Savior. He saw our need and because of his perfect love chose to send Jesus to take on flesh and experience the broken world. Finally, he took our sin and shame to the cross that we might be forgiven and have direct access to our Creator.

Now Jesus teaches us that he also appointed us to go and bear fruit consistent with its divine source. He gave a wonderful promise; “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.”

All of the lights, decorations, and trappings we use to capture the spirit of Christmas are fine, but they do not really bear fruit. Only the humble prayer of surrender keeps us attached to the Christ of Christmas and cultivates the hope of a kingdom that will never end.

May we surrender ourselves to the abiding love of Jesus so that he might use us to go and bear fruit that will attract others to come to see and experience what is pure and true. Our decision to follow Jesus may be the very light that draws another to see and follow the Christ child for the first time.

Your time with God’s Word
‭‭John‬ ‭15‬:‭1-‭17‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Photo by Thomas Verbruggen on Unsplash

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