Today, we’re introducing a new Good Word Friday theme: Fruitful. The next month’s scriptures will focus on bearing spiritual fruit.

Those of you with green thumbs know what plants need to flourish and produce fruit. John 15:5 reveals the most important thing we need to produce: spiritual fruit. We need to abide in Christ.

“Abide” means “to continue to be in a place for a significant amount of time.” (Many major translations use the word “abide.” Several use “remain.”)

First, we need to be connected to Christ, the vine. Then, we need to remain connected for a significant amount of time.

Can you imagine how difficult it would be to grow a tree if you kept transplanting it? That’s a green thumbs down. What if you disrupted the tree’s access to sunlight, water, and food? You can see the spiritual parallels.

In order to be fruitful servants of God, we need to be connected to Jesus Christ. All plants grow by drawing nutrients from a source. In our spiritual lives, God is the source. This verse instructs us to abide with that source — remain connected.

What are some of the ways that you abide in Christ?

This article has undergone ministry review and approval.