Sunday: The Condition of Fruitfulness
Read John 15:1-11. Why can fruit come forth only out of a living relationship with Jesus, the vine? Why is abiding in Jesus so important? How do we abide in Him?
The first secret to genuine Christian fruit bearing is to abide in Christ. Apart from Christ, we cannot produce genuine spiritual fruit. The fruit of the Spirit is not imposed upon us from outside, but is the result of the life of Christ within us. In John 15:1-11, Jesus tells us that fruit bearing is the result of the life of Christ, the vine, flowing through the branches of the believers. The growth of the fruit is God’s work through Jesus Christ.
Copyright Lars Justinen @ Goodsalt.com
The responsibility of the believer is to abide in Christ. When Christ dwells in our thoughts, He will become visible in our actions. Jesus lives His life in us. The life Christ lived will be reproduced in us, in the sense that we will reflect His character.
The fruit of the Spirit is the character of Jesus, produced by the Holy Spirit in the followers of Christ. When Christ dwells in us, we will “walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh” (Gal. 5:16, NASB).
In the words of Jesus: ” ‘Every good tree bears good fruit; but the rotten tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a rotten tree produce good fruit’ ” (Matt. 7:17-18, NASB). The good fruit is the natural product of our abiding relationship with Jesus through the Holy Spirit. When we cooperate with the Spirit’s inner promptings on our hearts, the fruit of the Spirit becomes evident in our lives. Our characters will be transformed to reflect the character of Jesus Christ in what we say and do and even think. The Holy Spirit will give us power to live victoriously and to develop the virtues that are characteristic of those who are God’s children.
| In 2 Timothy 3:5, the apostle Paul describes people who “will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly” (NLT). What is the difference between a religious life and a life that is filled with the Holy Spirit? How can we know which kind of life we ourselves are living? |
(23)
I think that a religious life without the fruit of the Spirit is probably motivated by selfishness. This type of motivation will never lead us to Heaven or oneness with God.
Only the Holy Spirit of God can motivate us with the true love that will unite us with God. All that go to Heaven will be united with God in His Love.
We must choose to let God motivate our will if we are to experience true saving religion.
A life with the Holy Spirit compels you not only to be in oneness with God but to help others to seek Him too.
Jesus is our fertilizer. By abiding in Him, we then have the needed nutrients to produce the good fruits to do His Great Commission.
Matthew 28:19-20 "Go ye therefore and make disciples of all nation ... teaching them to obey everything I commanded you.
Absolutely, Kelvin, when we are one with God we are always a light to this world everywhere we go at all times.
Sundays lesson lesson says that the secret to Christian fruit bearing is to abide in Christ. How do we accomplish that? Our relationship is not what we chose sometimes. My prayers are often for a closer relationship with God. Sometimes it seems further from us than we want. We know that separation from the vine, God, will cause the fruit to wither and die. 2 Timothy 3:1-5 give some examples. I think of professional entertainers and, athletes and, political leaders, and more, that we are all to familiar with. 2Timothy 3:1 seems to be a wake up call for most of us.
Paul, I think Jesus gave us a clue as to how to abide continuously in the vine not only by His life of communication with the Father through His Holy Spirit, but by His admonition to His disciples and us to watch and pray lest we fall. This is mentioned in the gospels and also in the Revelation of Jesus Christ as recorded several times by John.
In the book of the Revelation He even says to watch and pray ALWAYS lest the thief come upon you unawares.
I believe the watching He refers to is being aware of our motivation for our thoughts and feelings (is it Godly Love that motivates us?). I believe the prayer He speaks of is an opening of the heart to the work of the Holy Spirit to motivate us with His Love in each issue of our daily walk.
Don, the memory verse Gal. 5:22 is only one verse in a chapter that is Sub Titled, "Walking in the Spirit", verse 16 a list of comparisons, verses 19-25. The entire chapter is dealing with Liberties. Those that are limited by Jewish tradition in the church at Galatia. Especially circumcision. The Apostle Paul gave them as well as us, the admonition in verses 13&14 plus the first fruit of the Spirit, listed in verse 22, LOVE. The emphasizes may be selected differently by some but some omissions are not always
helpful. Love is why we are here, 1John4:7,8&22, and seem to be at the top of the list of our character needs.
If we look only within ourselves for peace we will probably not find it. Our hearts must be continuosly foccus on the love of God. Then this state may help us be on the right pathway. Anything out of true love is pride. When we open our hearts to the love of God, He will guide us through a life of natural and good works, as a result of this relationship.
"Our characters will be transformed to reflect the character of Jesus Christ in what we say and do and even think."
We had a week of prayer and the speaker challenged us that all the aspects of the fruit of the spirit must come out in our daily life for us to be true christians. Comparing with the part of the study and reflecting how often tide my thinking wander away I am convicted that it's only through Christ Jesus that I can be counted righteous, remember me in prayers.
A life with out the Holy Spirit is one that pleases others outwardly but the heart is not converted to service God truthfully.
It's clear that a religious life by itself can be shallow and artificial compared to a life filled with the Holy Spirit. However, I wonder if the structure provided by the religious life helps us abide and puts us in a condition where we are open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. If I did not do my Bible study, pray every day, go to church, etc. — I would create no opportunities for God to talk to me. However, if I went through these activities for mere form, then I am not inviting the Spirit to work in my life either.
Due to my stubborn nature, I only discover God in adversity. When I am bless, I take life for granted. I did my Bible study, pray and go to Church, but I felt spiritually empty.
When I invited the Spirit of God to replace my evil nature, I see miracles happening in my life. I became less angry with people, less discourage about life, less envious, more gentle and forgiving even to my enemies.
Instead of looking at life with despair and rage, I see the impossible possible. That being more like Christ, win you more battles in life and gain more friends who marvel at your spiritual transformation. By witnessing to those around you, you not only help others but you see God's miracles in using you in other peoples' lives.
God is great, I thank Him for this experience.
Thank you for your testimony, Kelvin. I think many of us are like you describe - we take God for granted in the good times. It is in times of difficulty we draw close to Him and thus grow.
Interesting indeed - If the motive of the religious desire is to know God the Holy Spirit's convicting power will soon or later bring about that needed transformation. I am reminded what Jesus told Nicodemus in (John3:6-8) Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.7You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’8The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
Can someone help me with this question posted by Meena Dayak. Thanks
Jaslyn, I don't think that going to church, reading the Bible every day, and praying daily is enough works to get Jesus to live in us enough to make us like Him in character.
I think He gave us the formula for success in Luke 21:34-36. We must watch and pray always lest we be caught up in selfishly motivated activity at any time.
We must watch our thoughts and feelings with eternal vigilance comparing them with the character of God (His law will be helpful here) and pray without ceasing for the thoughts and feelings of Christ as brought to us by His Spirit in our own minds. He will teach us as He taught Jesus what the Mind of the Father is.
We must have that same mind as Jesus which came from the Father via the Holy Spirit. It will come to us and we can have it just as Jesus did. If faithful, we will be able to truthfully say, "I do nothing of mind own self but the Father teaches me all that I say and do."
This will keep us connected with the vine. We can continue to grow in the character and mind of Jesus until we will be fully "sealed" in it as Jesus, Enoch, Elijah, others have been, and as the 144,000 will be
I believe it is our constant realization of our need - our dependence on Him - that keeps us close to Jesus. It is difficult to remain constantly "vigilant" if we do not genuinely sense our helplessness without Him. Thus the question is, How do we keep foremost in our minds that we are totally dependent on Christ and can do nothing without Him?
It is very well outlined on how one is get and maintained that difference today Thanks. The only other point I could think to add you'll be to recognize your lack of connection with Jesus.
Sanctification is a continuing education experience!
Philippians 1:6 "Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath began a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ"
Sanctification produce FRUIT! The fruit gets nourishment from the Branch which is attached to the VINE!
Lord, please keep me fortified!
Man looks on the outward appearance but only God can discern the contents of the heart, is what God said to Samuel in 1 Samuel 16:7.
Living a truly spirit filled life has so much more to do with internal changes that are reflected in thoughts, actions and demeanor. Performances can be convincing to humans many times but never to the Spirit. Fruit born of superficiality, trying to follow the law by sheer willpower or for selfish reasons (like: to be seen as righteous before men) will show its true character or God will reveal it in time.
I trust and pray that the Spirit of God will take away any self-seeking that creates a hollow experience with Him.
The fruit borne of legalism or performance lacks the warmth, quality, consistency and durability of the true.
Character of a religious life may be described as. Not loving your neighbours, Pretence that am holy, saved, and caring. Pagan life ,Witchcraft and idolatry and blasphemy. Life that is guided by the holy spirit is said cooperation with the holy spirit and connected in the fellowship, and enjoyment in praying in oneness with Christ.
The difference between a religious life and a life that is filled with the Holy Spirit is in the example of the religious lives of the leaders in Jesus' days. They were so religious that they could not see Jesus (God the Son) who was in their mist and whom their religion was based on. The Holy Spirit in our lives makes the difference. He will grow the fruits of His Spirit in us.
In John 15:1-11, Jesus used the viticulture metaphor to illustrate the need for remaining and staying in a continuous unbroken relationship with God. He states that spiritual success is guaranteed when we abide in Him! The key to fruit bearing is only found in remaining in and continuing with Jesus. We know that the Father and Son are always connected with one each other in every activity (John 5:19-23). We too are to plug into that live connection in order for us to bear the fruit of the Spirit. Jesus emphasizes the importance of this unbroken chain in 15:4-5: “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.”
We must remember that its important that fruit bearing is a natural outcome of being in total submission to and connection with Jesus Christ. It's important to God that we pursue a continuous intimacy with Him for our own good. This involves a prayerful life; studying God’s Word; making Jesus the priority in your life; loving God and each other as well as depending upon Him for everything. Jesus wants us to recommit our lives to Him daily, moment by moment. May God help us to do just that.
Oh wretched woman that I am who shall deliver me from this body of death...whoa is me I am undone, I'm a woman of unclean lips. I need Christ, once you gaze upon him and Satan the accuser shows you your true nature. Then and only then do you plead for the holy spirit. Fruit comes as I dwell on my saviors forgiving love.
The most important condition is that, if God is the Gardener, Jesus the stem on which we are branches, if we bear fruits we shall be prunned but if we dont we shall be cut down and therefore annoying the Holy spirit and putting back Jesus on the cross thus hindering others. Therefore let us do our part to save ourselves and others as our"stars or crowns"