Fruitful Christians Glorify God

Fruitful Christians glorifie God.

*JOH. XV.8.* Herein is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit.

These words are part of a sermon preached by our Lord Jesus Christ to His Disciples. He does therein compare Himself to a vine, and believers on Him to vine branches; shewing that they can no more bring forth fruits of acceptable obedience to God of themselves, than a branch that is separated from the vine can bear grapes.

In the preceding verse, our Lord exhorts His Disciples to abide in him, that is, to continue constant and steadfast in the way of faith and obedience. And the motive whereby he urgeth that exhortation is, because then God will hear their prayers. If you abide on me, and my words in you, ask what you will, and it shall be done to you. Which is to be understood with this limitation, so far as they should ask things agreeable to the will of God. The words now before us are a confirmation of that assertion. If Christians that bring forth much fruit glorifie God, then we may be sure that he will hear their prayers. I shall not insist on any observation from the contextural consideration of the words, but from them as in themselves considered, the doctrine is.

That fruitful Christians, especially such as are abundantly fruitful, glorifie God.

For the clearing of the truth before us, 3 things may be enquired into. 1. What is implied in this fruit. 2. When Christians may be said to be abundantly fruitful, or to bear much fruit. 3. In what respect such are said to glorifie God.

QUEST. 1: What is implied here in fruit?

ANSW. 1. It does imply a work of grace in the soul. All those graces which are wrought in the souls of believers are compared to fruit in the Scripture: yes, to pleasant and savory fruit (Canticles 4:13, 16). Your plants are an orchard of pomegranates with pleasant fruits. — Let my beloved come into his garden, and eat his pleasant fruits. Faith is compared to fruit. When the Colossians believed, it is said, the Gospel brought forth fruit among them (Chapter 1:6). And all graces are called fruit (Ephesians 5:9). The fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness. Thus (Galatians 5:22, 23) but the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. Hence godly men are compared to good trees which bear good fruit (Matthew 12:33). They are called trees of righteousness (Isaiah 61:3).

2. As the habit of grace, so all the actions thereof are fruit. All grace's motions and operations, whether internal in the heart, or externally manifested, are fruit. Where there is true grace, it will surely discover itself. Grace is compared to life in the Scripture (Ephesians 2:9). You has be quickened. Now life discovers itself, at leastwise by breathings; so does grace in the soul always discover itself by breathing after Christ, and after holiness. Now all discoveries of a gracious frame of heart, are the fruit here spoken of.

3. Holy and gracious thoughts are fruit. All gracious workings in the minds of true believers on Christ are fruit. A good desire is so. A godly desire and purpose in the heart is so. When a man is thinking and contriving with himself how he may promote the glory of God and good of men, those thoughts are fruit. As David when he was thinking to build a house for the name of God, that godly intention was pleasant fruit. And the Apostle Paul had many gracious purposes and designs working in his heart, which Timothy, who was intimate with him, knew much of (2 Timothy 3:10). You have fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose — God sees, and delights to see holy purposes, and sincere real intentions in the hearts of His servants to glorifie His name.

3. Gracious words are fruit. It is said of Christ, that gracious words proceeded out of his mouth. When it is so with Christians then they are fruitful. A good tree is known by such fruit as that (Matthew 12:33, 35). Make the tree good and his fruit good. — Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things. Gracious speeches which may tend to the edification of the soul of the speaker or of the hearers, are compared to fruit (Proverbs 10:31). The mouth of the just brings forth wisdom. And (Chapter 11:30) the fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he that wins souls is wise. And (Chapter 15:4) a wholesome tongue is a tree of life. Hence also we read of the fruit of the mouth (Proverbs 12:14). In a word, that man is a fruitful Christian, who is duly observant of that excellent rule laid down by the Apostle (Ephesians 4:29): Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouths, but that which is good, to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace to the hearers.

5. Good works are fruit (Colossians 1:10). Being fruitful in every good work. Works of piety if done from a right principle, and for a right end are fruit. Praying, hearing the Word preached, setting days apart for prayer or praise, are holy fruit. And when men do by their estates encourage the work of the Gospel, or promote public and pious designs, they are truly said to bear fruit. Hence the Apostle says to the Philippians that he desired fruit which might abound to their account (Chapter 4:17). Works of charity are fruit; almsdeeds are so. Especially when men do with their estates relieve and refresh the needy servants of God, that is fruit and very pleasant fruit before the Lord (Hebrews 13:16). But to do good, and to communicate forget not, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. When the churches among the Gentiles relieved the poor saints at Jerusalem, the Lord was delighted with that fruit. Some who look upon the Song of Solomon as a prophecy, suppose works of charity to be intended by those expressions (Canticles 4:10): How fair is your love, my sister my spouse; how much better is your love than wine, and the smell of your ointment than all spices! However, it was pleasant fruit. When Christians carry it one towards another as the rule of charity requires, they are said to bring forth fruit, and this is in a special manner intended in [illegible] text: when Christ says to his Disciples, bring forth much fruit, His meaning is, Love one another much.

We come then to the 2nd enquiry, namely:

When may Christians be said to bear much fruit? And the answer to that is clear from what has been said in shewing what the fruit here spoken of is. In two words,

They that have much grace, bear much fruit. There is a marvellous difference among true Christians as to degrees of grace. Though every Believer has every grace in some degree, yet it may be he has no grace in that eminent degree which some others have. Hence some Christians are compared to Babes, others to grown men (1 Corinthians 3:1). Some to children, others, to fathers (1 John 2:13). As there is a difference in spiritual gifts, that one Saint does very much excel another; so there is in grace. The grace of one does exceed the grace of another, as much as the strength of a man is above the strength of a child. Now inasmuch as grace is fruit (as was shewed) the more grace any man has, the more fruit does he bear.

They that do most good are most fruitful. Grace will prompt a man to be doing good. Hence the more grace he has, the more good will he desire and endeavour to do. The Lord Jesus Christ, who is in this Chapter compared to a vine, was the most fruitful vine that ever was. Like Jotham's Vine, and like his Fig-tree, which had good fruit, whereby the heart of God and man was cheered (Judges 9:11, 13). He was always doing good (John 8:24): I do always the things that please Him. Now nothing pleaseth God but that which is good. When a Christian is in some measure like Christ, that all that have occasion to converse with him, are, or may be the better for him, then he is one that bears much fruit. As (I remember) Junius says concerning that learned and holy Ursin, that he never went to converse with him about any matter, but he was the better for it, he heard something from him that was for his edification. This is to bear much fruit. When a Christian shall be very instrumental for the good of others, he is abundantly fruitful. It was said of Jehoiada, that he had done good in Israel both towards God, and towards his house (2 Chronicles 24:16). So they that have done much good in their generation, have brought forth much fruit. And the truth is, a man cannot do greater good in this world, than to promote the good of the souls of men: therefore to be abundantly instrumental in the conversion, and edification of [illegible] souls, is to be very fruitful. That some take to be especially intended in the words of my Text, If you bear much fruit, that is, by private and public endeavours for the good of immortal souls, then God will be glorified. Hence in the 16th verse of this Chapter Christ says, I have ordained you, that you should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain. The fruit which the Apostles brought forth by the sermons which they preached, and by their writings, remains to this day to the edification of the Church of God.

We proceed then to the 3rd enquiry, namely,

In what respects, or upon what accounts fruitful Christians are said to glorify God?

Answer 1. Because fruitful Christians do make it appear that God is a glorious One. Men are not said to glorify God, as though they made him more glorious than he was before, for that is impossible: their goodness does not extend to Him: God's essential glory is infinite, and therefore it is impossible that there should be any addition thereunto. But when Christians bear much fruit, they declare His glory before the world. They make it manifest that the Lord is a glorious God (1 Peter 2:9): that you should show forth the praises of Him, or the virtues of Him. The virtue, the power of God is showed forth, when his people are made fruitful. When grace is wrought in the soul, the mighty power of God (which is his glory) is exerted and manifested. And so it is when they act and exercise grace. For example, when a Christian does exercise much patience under affliction, the power of God is thereby magnified and manifested to the praise and glory of his Name (Colossians 1:11): strengthened with all might according to his glorious power, to all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness. It is wonderful to see with what patience some Christians endure their temptations and afflictions: but it is from the glorious power of God strengthening their hearts and spirits. Again, that such poor, weak creatures as the children of men are, should be enabled by faith to encounter with and to overcome sin, Satan, and the world! this shows the glorious power of God. Besides all this, the more a Christian does abound in fruits of charity and holiness, the more like he is to God. The Lord is good, and He does good: therefore they that do much good are like to Him. Do good (said Christ) that you may be the children of your Father which is in heaven (Matthew 5:44, 45), that is to say, that you may be like to Him, as children resemble their Father: that the world may in you and by you see something what God is, what glorious perfections are in his nature.

2. When Christians bear fruit as they ought to do, they cause the name of God to be blessed and praised. That may be meant by these words, Herein is my Father glorified, that is, this will tend to his praise. Isaiah 60:21: Your people shall be all righteous — the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified, that is, by means of whom I shall have praise and glory. As for fruitful Christians, there are many that do bless them, and bless God for them. All the Churches in Judea, when they understood what a fruitful Christian Paul was, they blessed God for him (Galatians 1:23, 24): they heard that he which persecuted us in times past, now preached the faith which once he destroyed: and they glorified God in me. By means of him and for him they praised God. Titus also, was a fruitful Christian, and the holy Apostle blessed God for him (2 Corinthians 8:16): But thanks be to God who put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you. And he exhorts the Corinthians to fruitfulness from this consideration, that then many would bless God for them. If you (says he) be serviceable to others, they will glorify God, and there will be many thanksgivings to God (2 Corinthians 9:12, 13). Yes, the fruitfulness of Christians does sometimes cause the world to think and speak well of the name of God; that the world will say, surely God is a good God, whose servants are thus good, and that God is a holy God whose servants are thus holy. Hence Christ said to his Disciples (Matthew 5:16): Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

I proceed to make some application of this doctrine. 1st. By way of instruction or information.

Hence fruitful Christians are dear to God. His glory is dear to him, and therefore they that are active instruments in glorifying his Name, must needs be dear to him. They abide in his love, as Christ here speaks. And from there it is that their prayers can do much with God. Whatever they ask, he is ready to grant them. They no sooner speak, but speed. It is because God has a special delight in the persons of such as love to glorify his Name, and so in their prayers. The Lord Jesus Christ said, Therefore does my Father love me, because I laid down my life (John 10:17). So God does therefore love some Christians above others, because they are more fruitful, and He has more glory to his Name by them than he has by others. Not that God's love of good-will does at all depend upon the works or goodness of men: nor was He at all moved from the fore-sight of any fruit or gracious qualifications in them, to set his love upon them; but because He has loved them, therefore they become fruitful. Only His love of delight in them, is more or less according to the measure of the fruit which they bring forth to his praise and glory. Men if they have vines or trees in their orchards which are very fruitful, they take a peculiar delight in them. So does the Lord do. Job was the most fruitful saint in the world in his time; and how was the Lord taken with him (Job 1:8)! The Lord seems to glory in having such a good and useful servant as Job was. Moses was a most fruitful man, and brought more glory to God than any one in the world in the age wherein he lived, and God delighted in him: yes, he was so dear to God as that He could not bear to have any one speak an ill word of him (Numbers 12:7, 8, 9). But especially when young men are abundantly fruitful, the Lord does exceedingly delight in them: as we see in that instance of the Apostle John, of whom ecclesiastical story reports that he was the youngest of all the Disciples, but one and twenty years old when he began his public ministry and apostleship: and he was the disciple whom Jesus loved. To see a man so young so set upon glorifying God, was very pleasing. If a man has in his orchard a young tree loaden with fruit, he takes delight in looking upon it: a young man that is always doing good, the Great God never looks upon him but with delight.

Hence it is a very great mercy to have an opportunity of being fruitful. There is no creature capable of a greater happiness than to be an active instrument of glorifying God. Therefore opportunities that way are singular mercies. I remember an eminent divine that was wont to say, My opportunities are my greatest riches. To be improved in public service for God among his people is a wonderful favor; and it is a very evil thing to decline all such advantages for service to the Name of God. Not that a man is always bound to make use of every opportunity: for God may be so gracious to him, as to put many great opportunities into his hands, more than he can make use of. And then he must consider with himself, In which of these shall I be like to bring the greatest and most lasting glory to the Name of God? And let him be sure to do that. But when men shall out of passion or discontent, or for any carnal ends, decline all public service for Christ and for his people, it is certain that their hearts are not set upon glorifying God as they ought to be, and that they don't act grace but corruption. Moreover, it is a great happiness to be called to suffer for God's Name and Truth. To you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but to suffer for his sake (Philippians 1:29). Not that sufferings are in themselves desirable, only as then and thereby we have an opportunity to glorify God. In that respect if you be reproached for the Name of Christ, happy are you, for on your part He is glorified. It is then a great mercy to have an opportunity to be either doing or suffering for Christ.

Hence they that call themselves Christians, and yet bear little or no fruit, are a dishonor to the blessed Name of God. And yet alas how many such are there! Christians who are barren fig-trees, or barren vines in the Lord's garden, that have the leaves of profession growing on them, but not the fruits of practice: that when the Lord comes to them looking for fruit, He finds nothing but leaves, a mere formal profession, of whom He may justly say cut them down, why cumber they the ground? There are others that have blossoms only. Convictions of sin and duty, and beginnings of reformation are blossoms. Many have had these who never brought forth the fruit of true repentance, and faith, and holiness. Oh how have they dishonored God, and what a sad case are their souls in! Naturalists observe that if a tree blossom, and yet does not bear fruit, it is many times a sign that it will die; so when persons have convictions, and troubles of conscience, and begin to set upon the practice of holy duties, but notwithstanding these illuminations are not throughly converted, it is a sad sign that their souls shall die forever. The Apostle speaks of trees whose fruit withered, without fruit — twice dead (Jude 12). They that have had convictions, and some external reformations; and after that return to their former evil ways again, are twice dead. And don't we see some withered professors of religion! The time was when they made a fair show, a glorious profession, but all is withered away into sapless formality. Such may well fear that they were never truly implanted into Christ, and therefore are they cast forth and withered.

And there are many true believers, which though they bear fruit, yet but little fruit comparatively to what they should and might do. What barren hearts have they! Not so many holy thoughts therein as ought to be! What barren lips, that are not filled up with profitable discourse! This, verily is the great sin of many professors: They spend whole hours in company with one another, and yet not one edifying word all that time. No, it may be their communications such, as they would be ashamed to say what they had been speaking, if the holy Lord Jesus should suddenly break in upon them and demand what their discourses were about. As he did when his Disciples were in a house at Capernaum, the Lord asked them, what was it that you disputed among yourselves by the way? And they held their peace, for they had been disputing who should be the greatest (Mark 9:33-34). They were ashamed to tell what discourses had passed among them. Is there not a great deal of unfruitful discourse among Christians when they meet occasionally? On a time there happened to be a number of Christians together, and their discourse being frothy and fruitless, a young man in the room who was of a more serious and holy temper than the rest, took his pen and ink and for a while in short-hand wrote down what every man said, and having so done, he prayed them to tell him what every man of them had spoken since they came together, but if you cannot (said he) I'll read to you what has passed in discourse: You (said he) spoke these words, and you (said he to another) uttered these words, and you (said he) to a third, had these expressions: and when they heard over again what foolish talk had been among them, they were all ashamed. Certainly many good people are not so mindful as they should be, that of every idle word they must give an account to Christ in another world. Such dishonour God by their unfruitfulness.

And are men duly careful to glorify God with their outward estates? Do they bear much fruit in that respect? Some that have considerable estates, how little good do they do with them! They can lavish out of the bag to serve an idol, to gratify a lust: would they with a sincere heart do as much for God who has given them all they enjoy, what blessed acknowledgments should they have from Jesus Christ at the great Day! But if they be put upon a good work, how little have they to spare! Such Christians dishonour God.

Use 2. Exhortation.

Let us endeavour to be abundantly fruitful.

The motive in the text, is enough if there were nothing else to be mentioned. Where is there a man that has the heart of a Christian in him, but above all things in this world, he desires to glorify God? So shall you be my Disciples, says Christ. It is the spirit of a true disciple of Christ to desire that God may be glorified, and therefore to endeavour to be fruitful. But moreover,

Consider, 1. We may bear much fruit, if the fault be not our own. Some indeed are advantaged thereunto above others, namely, they that are in a public capacity (as many before the Lord in this assembly are.) A magistrate is put into a capacity of bearing fruit in such a degree, as that the whole country shall fare the better for him: by being zealous for God, in the execution of justice, and the suppression of vice. He may stand in the gap and save a whole people from ruin. When sin is duly punished, all fare the better for that fruit of righteousness. And they that minister in the house of God, have an opportunity put into their hands of being abundantly fruitful. He that converts a sinner, and so saves a soul from death, bears much fruit. He that builds up many in faith and holiness, bears much fruit. That minister who shall be an example of the believers in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity, bears much fruit, and many souls will feed thereon, and bless God to eternity that ever they knew such a one. But private Christians also, may bear much fruit: they may set such an example as many others may be the better for: and by their prayers they may do much good. A prayerful Christian is a fruitful Christian. I will suppose a poor man, or a poor woman that is little taken notice of by the world, but is much in prayer, and is upon all occasions getting others together and inciting them to prayer, and provoking them to love and to good works; I say the whole town and land fares the better for that poor man, for that poor godly woman.

Consider, 2. The Lord expects much fruit from us. As he speaks in the 5th of Isaiah, he planted his vineyard in a very fruitful hill, and then looked that it should bring forth grapes. Truly so has God dealt with us, he has planted us in a very fruitful soil. What liberties do we enjoy! Mention, if you can, a people in the world, so privileged as we are! So that the Lord's expectations are great concerning us, and woe to us if we utterly fail him! What sermons do men hear, what sacraments do they enjoy! What Sabbaths, what lectures! Yes, and what providences have passed over us! What afflictions! What reproaches! What sicknesses! God's end in bringing such afflictions upon his servants, is that so they might bear yet more fruit (John 15:2). Every branch that bears fruit, he purges it that it may bring forth more fruit. And how does God purge fruitful branches, but by bringing afflictions upon them, and sanctifying those afflictions to their purgation, that they bring forth yet more fruit to his glory? And what mercies, what deliverances have we had, public and personal! Some of us have been pulled out of the jaws of death. Perhaps we have been in eminent dangers at sea; and what does God expect now but more fruit? Or sickness has brought us to the gates of the grave, only God has said, Return again into the world, and let me see you bear much fruit that I may be glorified.

Quest. But what shall be done that it may be so?

Answ. 1. We must in the first place make sure of our union with Christ. Remember that without Him we can do nothing, as in this context the Lord has declared (John 15:4, 5): "As the branch cannot bear fruit of it self, except it abide in the vine; no more can you, except you abide in me. I am the vine, and you are the branches, he that abideth in Me, and I in him; the same bringeth forth much fruit." And the Apostle says we must be married to Him that was raised from the dead, that so we might bring forth fruit to God (Romans 7:4). Though a man should do never so many good works in the account of men, though he should pray never so often, though he should give his estate to the poor, if he is not in Christ, all that he does is no fruit to God. It was a truly christian reply of that pious minister, who when some told him of the good works he had done in the time of his health, and that therefore in case he should die, his reward in Heaven must needs be very great; "These" (said he) "are good works, if they be sprinkled with the blood of Jesus Christ." If a man be in Christ, then his good works will be fruit, otherwise not. Hence the Apostle speaks of being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ to the praise and glory of God (Philippians 1:11). No man did ever bring forth fruits of righteousness, but it was by Christ Jesus, and therefore no man will be full of those fruits, except he be in Christ.

2. Let us labor for a public spirit, and for much of such a spirit. The reason why men bring no more fruit to the glory of God, is because they have so much of a private, selfish spirit prevailing in them. All seek their own, not the things which are Christ's. The Prophet complained Israel is an empty vine, he bringeth forth fruit to himself (Hosea 10:1). The man that's all for himself, will certainly be an empty, fruitless vine. The most fruitful saints have always been eminent for a public spirit. David was one that did bear much fruit, and he was of a public spirit. He served his generation. He had great advantages to have served himself, but his heart was set upon serving the generation wherein he lived. And Solomon brought forth much fruit: he also was of a public spirit; therefore he built God's house before his own, and made quicker dispatch with it. Nehemiah, and Mordecai were fruitful servants of God, and they were men that denied themselves much out of respect to the public interest. Among the Apostles there was none did bear so much fruit as Paul (in labours more abundant than they). And he was of a very public spirit. He made it the chief design of his life to do good to many (1 Corinthians 10:33): "Not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many that they might be saved."

3. Let us be always bearing fruit. That's the way to bear much fruit. He that bears fruit every day, will at last bear much fruit. A Christian should not let one day pass, without some good. And therefore it is good for a man, as duly as the day passeth over his head, when night cometh, to call himself to an account before he goeth to sleep, and to ask, Where have I been this day? How have I spent my time this day? Have I gained any spiritual good to my self, or done any good to others this day? Thus do, and if upon examination, you find that your time has been spent unprofitably, oh fall down and mourn in the presence of God, and say, Alas O Lord, I have lost a day! I have read of a great moralist, that would do not much less than this comes to. How much more should a Christian be careful to spend his time well every day! And he should endeavour to do good wherever he cometh. He may do good in whatever place he shall be. If he be in company with others, he may do good with his tongue. Some have said concerning Doctor Preston, that he was the most fruitful Christian in the world in that respect. He would upon all occasions set on foot edifying discourse, either something that should tend to promote knowledge, or should be helpful as to the practical part of Christianity. Or, if a man be alone; he may do good with his head and heart, he may be contriving for God's glory. He may be often thinking with himself, What shall I do for God? Is there nothing that I may yet do for God and His people, more than I have hitherto done? Yes, a Christian should endeavour so to walk, as that all he does may be fruit to God. Therefore holy thoughts of God should be still running in his mind. I could name a man to you, that could say, For the space of these ten years, excepting when I have been asleep, thoughts of God have not been out of my heart a quarter of an hour together. We should have thoughts of God, in our eating, drinking, buying, selling, and in all that we do. And explicit aimings at His glory, should be in our hearts and thoughts very frequently every day. So will all that we do become fruit, and then we shall bear much fruit.

Let us set before us the most holy and fruitful examples for our imitation. Take, my brethren, the prophets for an example (James 5:10). Such as we read of in the Scripture who were eminent for God, we should consider their example, and endeavour to become like them. Or such of the saints as we ourselves have known or heard of. And hence the reading of the lives of holy and eminent servants of Christ is certainly a good and profitable thing: it may (by the blessing of God) be a means to cause us to become like to them in holiness and fruitfulness. But above all let us set the example of Jesus Christ before us, and learn of Him. The best of men have had their failings, and so are not a perfect copy to write after: but Christ did all things well, and never did amiss in any thing. He went up and down doing good (Acts 10:3). He came no where, but He did some good, brought forth some fruit there. We should remember that example. And if a Christian be exercised with any temptation, suppose him to be persecuted, made the reproach of the world, slandered, and his life fought after! let him think with himself, How did Christ carry it under such temptations? Let me demean myself as near as I can as He did. Or if he be put upon any service, let him consider, If Christ had been called to such a service, how would He have managed that work to the glory of the Father? And as He was, so let me be in this world. Every one of us here calls himself a Christian: he that says he abideth in Him, ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked. So shall we bear much fruit, and glorify God.