God is glorified when I prove to be His disciple, that is His follower. The proof of my discipleship is in producing much fruit. If I’m connected to the Vine, I will bear fruit. If I’m “pruned” by the application of the Word of God to my life, I will bear more fruit. If through communion with Christ I make and receive requests, I will bear much fruit.
Producing much fruit is the way I complete the work the Father gives me to do. The work of God is to believe in the Son. The Father is glorified when Jesus works through me by answering my prayers. The result of answered prayers is that Jesus does greater works collectively through me and other believers now than He did while on earth. When Jesus who is the ultimate expression of the power and name of God is able to do greater works through us, God is glorified. God’s glory is manifested when His power is shown and His name known. I prove to be a follower of Christ when I show His power and make His name known. I make His name known when I show His power. His power is shown in me when He answers my prayers. Not just prayers for things I can touch and hold, but more specifically prayers for His power (strength, wisdom, etc.) that enables me to do His will. It’s interesting to note that immediately following the departure of Judas at the last supper, Jesus spoke these words: “Now, the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in Him.” (John 13:31) “Now”…in betrayal…in something that at the moment doesn’t look like glory. This tells me when difficulties arise from doing the will of God, there is a purpose greater than me. When I entrust myself to the faithful Creator in submission, He is glorified. When I ask, and believe, and receive what I need to accomplish His will, not only am I doing the work of God but I’m completing His work, I’m cooperating with the work Christ is doing to conform me to His image, I’m bearing much fruit, I’m proving to be His disciple, and I’m fulfilling God’s purpose for my life which is to be conformed to the image of Christ.
Rooted in my asking and believing must be an understanding of the will of God as revealed in His Word by the Holy Spirit through communion with the Father. The Holy Spirit guides me into all Truth. The Holy Spirit speaks what He hears from Christ. The Holy Spirit takes from what is Christ’s (which is everything the Father has) and declares it to me. The Holy Spirit declares to me what is to come. The Holy Spirit searches the deep things of God and knows His concerns. I have received the Holy Spirit in order to know what has been freely given to me by God. When in my weakness I don’t know what to pray for as I should, the Holy Spirit intercedes for me according to the will of God. I am able to discern the will of the Father only when I’m sincerely seeking (that is, searching as for something hidden) His will and not my own. So, my ability to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit with accuracy is determined by the diligence with which I seach for God’s will. The diligence with which I search for God’s will is directly connected to the purity of my heart and mind. The purity of my heart and mind is dependant upon both my hearing and welcoming the Word into my heart. When I not only hear but welcome, or receive the Word implanted in my heart I become not only a hearer, but a doer of the Word who will be blessed in what I do. My willingness to seek the Father’s will and become a doer who acts upon that will is the measure by which I receive revelation from God that in turn produces much fruit that glorifies the Father.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES: John 15:8, 2-4; 6:29; 14:12-13; 16:13-14; I Cor. 2:10, 12; John 5:30; James 1: 22-25; Mark 4:20-25
Dear friends,