JEFF TURNER

The Bible talks about Christians producing fruit in their lives. In most cases, the message is simple: true followers of Jesus will show results in their actions, while those who do not follow him will not. However, some passages are harder to understand. In John 15, Jesus compares himself to a vine and God to the gardener. He says that branches in him that do not produce fruit are removed and burned.

This teaching can raise questions about whether some believers might fail and be lost. The passage is not about faithful followers but is directed at Judas Iscariot. Judas was connected to Jesus and appeared to belong, but his life had no spiritual effect and he produced no fruit. The warning of being gathered and burned refers to eternal judgment, not the loss of a true believer.

A real follower of Jesus cannot be lost because of God’s promise. John 3:16 affirms that anyone who believes in Jesus will not perish but will have eternal life. Those who fail to bear fruit are not true believers, and over time, their lack of fruit shows their real condition. Observing fruit in someone’s life can help identify whether they are genuinely following Christ or not.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Galatians 5:22-23