What Fruit Is God Looking For?
God’s people are expected to bear fruit.
But what does that mean? Is fruitfulness measured only by how busy we appear, how much Bible information we possess, or how often we speak about our faith?
Scripture gives a fuller answer. God looks for repentance expressed in changed conduct, character shaped by His teaching, good works, thankful praise, and continuing faithfulness.
This fruit grows through our relationship with Christ. We must receive His word, remain in Him, and put His instruction into practice.
The connected biblical pattern in this study is:
Repent and Turn to God → Abide in Christ → Bear the Fruit He Describes → Continue Faithfully.
Repent and Turn to God
The Barren Fig Tree Had Opportunity but No Fruit
In Luke 13, Jesus addressed reports of people who had suffered tragic deaths. He directed His hearers to examine their own need for repentance.
Luke 13:3 — KJV
“I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”
He then gave this parable.
Luke 13:6–9 — KJV
6. “He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none.”
7. “Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?”
8. “And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:”
9. “And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.”
The owner came looking for fruit. The tree occupied a place in the vineyard, but its presence there had not produced the expected result.
Additional time and care supplied an opportunity to change. They did not remove the expectation of fruit or the seriousness of continued barrenness.
In its setting, the parable reinforces Jesus’ call to repentance. God’s patience should move us to respond.
We should make the same examination personally. Have the time, teaching, encouragement, and opportunities we have received produced a changed life?
Repentance Produces Corresponding Conduct
Paul described the response he preached.
Acts 26:20 — KJV
“But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.”
Repentance involves turning to God, with conduct appropriate to that change.
A person who has spoken dishonestly must begin speaking truthfully. Someone who has acted selfishly must learn to serve. Resentment must give way to the response God commands.
The fruit does not purchase forgiveness. It expresses the change repentance requires.
Abide in Christ
Fruit Depends upon Remaining in the Vine
Jesus told His disciples:
John 15:4–5 — KJV
4. “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.”
5. “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”
A branch receives what it needs through its connection with the vine.
Jesus used that relationship to explain His disciples’ dependence upon Him. Christian fruitfulness cannot be separated from Christ.
We need more than determination to become better people. We need the saving relationship, instruction, and continuing dependence upon the Lord that Scripture describes.
Abiding Includes Keeping His Commandments
Jesus explained further:
John 15:10 — KJV
“If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.”
Abiding is expressed through obedience. Jesus joins love and the keeping of His commandments.
We should therefore ask whether His teaching governs our decisions, relationships, worship, and conduct.
A claim of closeness to Christ must be examined by our response to His word.
The Relationship Begins through the Gospel
Jesus first spoke these words to His disciples before the cross. Related passages explain how people enter Christ through the gospel following His death and resurrection.
The gospel declares that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day (1 Corinthians 15:3–4). His blood was shed for the remission of sins (Matthew 26:28).
We must hear the gospel, believe in Christ, repent of sins, confess Christ, and be baptized into Him. Romans 10:10 includes confession, Acts 2:38 commands repentance and baptism for remission of sins, and Galatians 3:26–27 connects faith with baptism into Christ.
This is the beginning of a life that must continue in Him.
The branch’s responsibility is to remain connected to the vine and bear fruit.
Bear the Fruit He Describes
Fruit Includes Godly Character
Paul identifies the fruit of the Spirit.
Galatians 5:22–25 — KJV
22. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,”
23. “Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”
24. “And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.”
25. “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”
The context contrasts this fruit with the works of the flesh. Belonging to Christ requires turning from sinful desires and learning to walk according to God’s revealed will.
These qualities reach ordinary moments: how we respond when interrupted, how we treat someone who needs help, how we handle disagreement, and whether we govern our desires.
Fruitfulness includes the person we are becoming.
Fruit Includes Good Works Directed by God’s Will
Paul prayed for the Colossians:
Colossians 1:9–10 — KJV
9. “For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;”
10. “That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;”
Knowledge of God’s will should produce a worthy walk and fruitful work.
Learning and doing belong together. We study so that we can understand and follow what pleases the Lord.
A good work is therefore evaluated by His will. Personal enthusiasm cannot authorize something contrary to His teaching.
Good Works Belong to the Life God Creates through Christ
Ephesians 2:8–10 — KJV
8. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:”
9. “Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
10. “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”
Salvation is God’s gracious gift. We cannot boast that our accomplishments purchased it.
Yet the same passage identifies good works as the life God intends for those created in Christ Jesus.
Grace supplies the reason for grateful obedience and fruitful service.
Fruit Includes Praise and Generous Service
Hebrews 13:15–16 — KJV
15. “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.”
16. “But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.”
Our lips should bear fruit through praise and thanksgiving.
The next verse also calls for doing good and sharing. In this setting, “communicate” concerns sharing with others.
Godly fruit therefore reaches both our words toward God and our actions toward people.
We should look for opportunities to express gratitude, encourage someone, provide needed help, and share what God has entrusted to us.
Continue Faithfully
Fruitfulness Is an Ongoing Responsibility
Jesus continued His teaching about the vine and branches.
John 15:6–8 — KJV
6. “If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.”
7. “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.”
8. “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.”
Jesus’ warning makes continued abiding essential.
Verse 7 also connects abiding with His words remaining in us. The promise concerning prayer belongs within that relationship of dependence and submission.
Verse 8 identifies the purpose of fruitfulness: the Father is glorified.
We should continue learning, correcting what is wrong, practicing what is right, and using the opportunities before us.
The Fruit Leads toward Holiness
Romans 6:22 — KJV
“But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.”
Paul described a changed service and a changed result.
Those freed from sin become servants of God. Their fruit is directed toward holiness, with everlasting life as the promised end.
We should examine the direction of our lives. Are we yielding ourselves to God and growing in the conduct He requires?
The barren fig tree warns against wasting opportunity. The vine and branches teach dependence and continuing faithfulness. Paul’s instruction identifies the character and works that should grow from that relationship.
Scripture-Comparison Table
| Part of the pattern | Supporting KJV passages | What the passages teach |
|---|---|---|
| Repent and Turn to God | Luke 13:3, 6–9; Acts 26:20 | God’s patience provides opportunity for repentance that produces corresponding conduct. |
| Abide in Christ | John 15:4–5, 10 | Fruit depends upon remaining in Christ and keeping His commandments. |
| Bear the Fruit He Describes | Galatians 5:22–25; Colossians 1:9–10; Ephesians 2:8–10; Hebrews 13:15–16 | God looks for godly character, authorized good works, praise, thanksgiving, and generous service. |
| Continue Faithfully | John 15:6–8; Romans 6:22 | Continued abiding glorifies God and produces fruit directed toward holiness. |
Personal-Examination and Application Table
The following qualities are named in Galatians 5:22–23, KJV.
| Fruit | Question for examination | Practical application |
|---|---|---|
| Love | Am I seeking another person’s good? | Give needed help and act according to God’s instruction. |
| Joy | Does my relationship with Christ shape my outlook? | Remember His promises and express grateful confidence in Him. |
| Peace | Do my words and actions promote peace consistent with truth? | Address disagreements patiently and pursue reconciliation. |
| Longsuffering | How do I respond when patience is required? | Resist a hasty reaction and allow time for instruction and growth. |
| Gentleness | Am I considerate in the way I treat people? | Speak kindly and handle another person’s difficulties with care. |
| Goodness | Do I act upon opportunities to do what is right? | Follow through on a useful act of service. |
| Faith | Am I trusting God enough to follow His word? | Obey what He has revealed when doing so requires sacrifice. |
| Meekness | Can I receive correction without defending my pride? | Listen carefully and change when Scripture shows the need. |
| Temperance | Am I governing my desires, speech, and reactions? | Exercise self-control in a specific area that needs attention. |
The Connected Biblical Pattern
Repent and Turn to God → Abide in Christ → Bear the Fruit He Describes → Continue Faithfully.
Repentance turns us toward God. Abiding keeps our lives dependent upon Christ and governed by His teaching. That relationship should produce the character, works, praise, and service Scripture describes.
Continuing faithfully allows that fruit to grow and brings glory to the Father.
Conclusion
God looks for more than our presence among religious people or our familiarity with biblical words.
He looks for the fruit of a life responding to Him.
The barren fig tree had received opportunity. The branches needed to remain in the vine. Christians are called to grow in godly character, walk in good works, praise God, and share with others.
We should examine our own lives with those passages before us.
Where is repentance needed? What command needs to be practiced? Whom can we help? What quality needs deliberate attention?
Let us receive God’s patience as an opportunity to change, remain in Christ, and bear the fruit that glorifies Him.
Open the Scriptures. Examine the teaching. Follow what God has revealed.
THAT IS THE BIBLICAL PATTERN.
ALLOW SCRIPTURE TO INTERPRET SCRIPTURE.
The Biblical Pattern
Biblical Studies & Books by Kevin L. Walker
TheBiblicalPattern.com