The Pressure of Christian Living
Have you been tripped up by James’ words, “faith without works is dead /useless?” (James 2:20). Has the pressure to do work, or produce fruit created pressure in your life?
Many Christians grow up in a culture that teaches that if you stumble in your walk, 
your faith is not real, it’s useless. If you so much as miss church, or let a bad word slip it could be proof that your faith is not adequate—dead. Living flawlessly becomes a necessary burden to prove that you have faith.
On the other hand, other Christians interpret this verse as a directive, or confirmation, to make a difference in the world for Christ. They volunteer in the church, sing in the choir, keep nursery, help the widows and orphans, and reach out to the poor and their neighbors. They are consumed with working to produce fruit to build the kingdom of God.
Jesus spoke often of fruit, saying we will be known by our fruit, and that good fruit comes from good trees and bad fruit from bad ones (Luke 6:44-45). He also said that every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down (Luke 3:9). Jesus frequently spoke of us producing fruit. Good fruit is a sign of genuine faith, a part of a vital Christian life.
However, a goal of being a fruit-bearing Christian can produce pressure and be the very thing that undermines our fruit production, leading to no fruit, or fruit that is dead and useless.
A tree or vine does not produce fruit for its own consumption. The fruit is for others to eat, and for the seed within to produce more trees or vines. Likewise, our fruit is ultimately for others, not ourselves, but for building the kingdom of God.
Fruit produced for self is useless. It may help us feel good about ourselves, but it is useless in fulfilling its God-given purpose of serving others or reproduction. It does not build the kingdom.
A grape vine does not work on producing fruit. It just happens. It is what it is, and the fruit comes in its season. Likewise, we need to be children of God, children who love Him with all our hearts and who love our neighbors as ourselves. When we do that, fruit happens. Fruit production isn’t a burden or a goal, it is a natural by-product of love.
The two keys of fruit bearing are found in John 15, love and abiding in Him.
God’s love is pure, powerful, and never fails. When we love Him, we draw close and want to be like Him. Jesus is the vine. We are the branches. As we abide in Him, His love flows through us. As His love flows through us, it nourishes growth. It draws others to Him and builds His kingdom.
Like a garden hose, the amount of flow is directly affected by how firmly we are connected. Likewise, if we are kinked with bitterness or despair, it will cut off the flow. If we are twisted and tangled with cares and worries, the flow of God’s love will be impeded, choked off.
Without the flow of God’s love, we drain ourselves trying to live perfectly or serve endlessly, and our deeds will be empty, hollow, useless, dead.
Jesus said, “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:4-5).
Apart from firm abiding, our work is for naught. However, if we love Him and abide in Him, we don’t need to think worry about fruit. As His love flows through us, In His time, fruit will appear.
“As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love” (Jn. 15:9).
If your Christian walk is characterized by tension, fatigue, and frenzied service or hopelessness of ever being good enough, ask yourself, “What is my goal?” Set your heart on loving and abiding. Wait patiently on God for the fruit to come as you become immersed in His love, and it flows through you.
What do you do to help you stay well-plugged into God? To guard from things that would interfere with your abiding in Him?