Many people think Bible reading and prayer is boring. They think it’s a waste of time. They question the value of abiding in His word and asking God for things. John 15-16 lists the following fruits in studying God’s word and prayer: spiritual character, multiply disciples, bear witness, persecution or martyrdom, know truth, see Christ, joy, and peace.
Spiritual Character
Jesus is the vine and the Father is the vinedresser. He removes branches that don’t bear fruit and prunes those that do, so they will bear more fruit. You can’t do anything or bear fruit unless you abide in Christ. Branches not abiding in Christ are burned in the fire. Answered prayer comes as you abide in Him and His words abide in you. Bearing much fruit glorifies God and proves you are His disciple. Abiding in His love enables you to keep His commandments with full joy (John 15:1-11). You bear fruit of character by prayer with Christ and His words abiding in you.
Multiply Disciples
Laying down your life for friends demonstrate real love. Christ chose you to bear fruit in answer to prayer. Christ commands you to love one another (John 15:12-17). You multiply disciples by loving others sacrificially.
Bear Witness
The world hates and persecutes you because it hated Christ first. If they kept His word, they will keep yours also. People have no excuse for their sin because Christ spoke and did works like no one else. He who hates God hates Christ. The Spirit of truth or Helper comes from the Father to bear witness of Christ. You bear witness by abiding in the Holy Spirit (John 15:18-27). You bear witness of Christ by abiding in the Holy Spirit.
Persecution or Martyrdom
Christ spoke these things to keep you from stumbling. In the future, people think they serve God by killing His disciples. It shows they don’t know God or Christ. Remember these warnings so it doesn’t surprise you (John 16:1-4). You can expect persecution or martyrdom as Christ’s disciple.
Know Truth
The Holy Spirit as Helper convicts the world of sin, righteousness and judgment. Concerning sin because they don’t believe in Christ; concerning righteousness because He went to the Father and you don’t behold Him; and concerning judgment because the ruler of this world was judged. The Spirit of truth guides you into all truth for He does not speak on His own initiative but speaks what He hears and discloses the future. The Spirit takes God’s word and discloses it to you (John 16:5-15). You know truth and convict the world of sin by trusting the Holy Spirit.
See Christ
Jesus predicted they would not see Him and then later see Him because He went to the Father. Jesus said the world would rejoice while their sorrow would turn into joy like a mother in childbirth. He promised to see them again so their heart would rejoice (John 16:16-22). You see Christ by trusting in His death and resurrection.
Joy
The Father will give you whatever you ask in Christ’s name. Until now you have asked nothing in His name. Joy would be made full as you ask and receive answers to prayer (John 16:23-24). You experience full joy through prayer.
Peace
Christ told His disciples plainly and not figuratively that He would leave the world and go to the Father. They believed that He came from God. Jesus questioned their belief because they scattered to their homes and left Him alone. He promised them peace in Christ because He overcame the world and its tribulations (John 16:25-33). You experience peace from the world’s tribulations in Christ.
Allow the following fruits of spiritual character, multiply disciples, bear witness, persecution or martyrdom, know truth, see Christ, joy, and peace motivate you to abide in Christ and His word along with prayer.
