Jn15

The proof is in the fruit not the pudding! We don't earn salvation by bearing "fruit", but bearing fruit is the natural outcome of abiding in Christ. Jesus said, "My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be My disciples."

But what does that mean? How do we bear "fruit"? Clearly in John the primary goal is to BELIEVE IN JESUS! The first fruit would be BELIEF that produces salvation! In this chapter John immediately talks about receiving the LOVE of the Father that brought salvation, and, as a result, loving one another. He then moves to receiving JOY and making that joy complete. From there he talks about OBEDIENCE, and finally, to the guarantees of REJECTION and PERSECUTION.

Other contexts talk about "the fruit" of the Spirit! We know that this chapter is sandwiched between chapters 14 & 16 which are Jesus' primarily instruction regarding the Spirit and His work in a believers life. Are we full of the Holy Spirit? Are these things clearly seen in our lives? Are we bearing fruit?