"If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit," Jesus declares (John 15:5). When our Heavenly Gardener plants faith in our hearts, He expects that faith to blossom. Indeed, it's the very nature of faith to do and with increasing frequency. Jesus the vine didn't say, "I hope you bear fruit" or "You must bear fruit." He simply said, "You will bear fruit" and even added the word much. How can children of God still live like children of the devil? How can those who revel in Christ's love react in hate toward those around them? How can those who are made in God's unselfish image still measure thoughts, words and deeds with the tiny yardstick of personal selfishness? (underline mine) Though this side of heaven the best of our blossoms still exhibit sin's blight, they grow. When James declares that "faith without works is dead," he's reminding us that "no roses means it's not a rose bush." (James 2:26)
Richard E. Lauersdorf
"As Luther Taught the Word of Truth - Devotions on the Small Catechism"
pages 78-79
