John 15:8

Growing up I always wanted to please my dad. I disobeyed him plenty, but I still constantly looked for his approval. How much more should we want to please and glorify our heavenly Father? We’re called to bear fruit but fruit is not something that is attached to the branch and fastened on the outside, but is pushed out from the inside and displays the health of the branch to the vine. Here’s a familiar list of spiritual fruit: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).

That’s the fruit that will get pushed out of our lives from the inside as we abide in Christ. So this fruit is having Christ-likeness in our character and affections as well as the works in which they are displayed. Bear that kind of fruit and people will say, “They have been with Jesus.” Then we can share with them how they too can glorify the Father.

To be pleasing to Him,

Pastor Gerard Deleeuw