Glorifying God by being fruitful

Thomas Watson

We glorify God by fruitfulness. ‘Hereby is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit’ (John 15:8). As it is dishonouring God to be barren, so fruitfulness honours him. ‘Filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are to the praise of his glory’ (Phil. 1:11). We must not be like the fig tree in the gospel, which had nothing but leaves, but like the pomecitron, that is continually either mellowing or blossoming, and is never without fruit. It is not profession, but fruit that glorifies God. God expects to have his glory from us in this way. ‘Who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit of it’ (1 Cor. 9:7)? Trees in the forest may be barren, but trees in the garden are fruitful. We must bring forth the fruits of love and good works. ‘Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven’ (Matt. 5:16).

Faith sanctifies our works, and works testify our faith; to be doing good to others, to be eyes to the blind, feet to the lame, much glorifies God. Thus Christ glorified his Father; ‘he went about doing good’ (Acts 10:38). By being fruitful, we are fair in God’s eyes. ‘The Lord called thy name a green olive-tree, fair and of goodly fruit.’ (Jer. 11:16). And we must bear much fruit; it is muchness of fruit that glorifies God: ‘if ye bear much fruit.’ The spouse’s breasts are compared to clusters of grapes, to show how fertile she was (Song of Solomon 7:7). Though the lowest degree of grace may bring salvation to you, yet it will not bring much glory to God. It was not a spark of love Christ commended in Mary, but much love; ‘she loved much’ (Luke 7:47).