For years I have decorated our Christmas tree with dozens of red wax apples. When the holidays are over, I return them to their ornament box until next year. I can do so because they are wax fruit, fixed to a dead tree. Though the apples appear similar to real ones, the tree does not produce them nor do the apples draw their life from the tree.


Real apples emerge when their branches are attached to living apple trees. And real spiritual fruit is born when its branch remains attached to the Living Vine – Jesus! There is a biblical word that means “to wait, remain fixed, to continue in place.” The word is “abide.” The only way to produce real fruit is to abide in Christ. Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing” (v.5, ESV). Not “can do little,” but “can do nothing”! Wax fruit is only good for show. Abide – wait, remain, continue – in Christ, your Living Savior, for fruit that lasts.