Jesus said in John 15:16 that he has appointed us to bear fruit and that our fruit would endure. We are destined for fruit, but what kind of fruit? I agree that some Christians won't get any reward in heaven because their works will be burned up like wood, hay, and stubble (cf. 1 Cor. 3:15). Likewise, some Christians remain baby believers and never mature or grow up spiritually. Many believers never win souls for Christ and reproduce fruit in this sense also. But Hosea 14:8 says our fruitfulness comes from God. Our patience is not our gift to God, but his gift to us.
The fruit of the Spirit is from God and God gets the glory. A branch that doesn't bear fruit is taken away and burned and so a Christian that isn't producing isn't abiding in the vine (Jesus). Jesus cursed the fig tree that bore no fruit--that's what he thinks of a fruitless or dead tree. Not bearing fruit means one is dead and not abiding. All believers bear fruit such as love, joy, and peace, if not at salvation, afterward. I would put no stock in a believer that isn't bearing fruit--and we are to be fruit inspectors. In conclusion, we will know them by their fruits. Soli Deo Gloria!
The fruit of the Spirit is from God and God gets the glory. A branch that doesn't bear fruit is taken away and burned and so a Christian that isn't producing isn't abiding in the vine (Jesus). Jesus cursed the fig tree that bore no fruit--that's what he thinks of a fruitless or dead tree. Not bearing fruit means one is dead and not abiding. All believers bear fruit such as love, joy, and peace, if not at salvation, afterward. I would put no stock in a believer that isn't bearing fruit--and we are to be fruit inspectors. In conclusion, we will know them by their fruits. Soli Deo Gloria!
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