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Yesterday I observed from Ephesians 1.17 that we experience deepening intimacy with Christ through the spiritual disciplines and that through this intimacy we experience the Spirit of wisdom and revelation.

Here’s another good reason for pursuing intimacy: fruit!

So you must remain in life-union with me, for I remain in life-union with you. For as a branch severed from the vine will not bear fruit, so your life will be fruitless unless you live your life intimately joined to mine. (John 15.4, Passion Translation)

Who wants to be fruitless? The first command was, “Be fruitful and multiply.” 

[Jesus said, ] “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.” (John 15.1, 2, ESV)

When your lives bear abundant fruit, you demonstrate that you are my mature disciples who glorify my Father!… You didn’t choose me, but I’ve chosen and commissioned you to go into the world to bear fruit. And your fruit will last, because whatever you ask of my Father, for my sake, he will give it to you! (John 15.8, 16, Passion Translation)