In John 15:4-5 our Lord Jesus Christ gave the instruction, the warning, and the promise, “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches. He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”
Brethren, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ desires that we be fruit bearing Christians. This is revealed through the five categories of fruit-bearing that we find in John 15:1-17:
Brethren, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ desires that we be fruit bearing Christians. This is revealed through the five categories of fruit-bearing that we find in John 15:1-17:
First, in John 15:2 we encounter those branches in Christ who bear no fruit; for our Lord states, “Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he [the Husbandman, God the Father] taketh away.” Concerning these fruitless believers we learn from John 15:6 that they are withered and burned under the chastening hand of God the Father. Second, again in John 15:2, we encounter those branches in Christ who bear some fruit; for our Lord states, “And every branch that beareth fruit . . . .” Third, yet again in John 15:2, we encounter those believers who bear more fruit; for our Lord states, “And every branch that beareth fruit, he [the Husbandman, God the Father] purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.” God the Father so works in the lives those believers who bear spiritual fruit in order that they might bear even more spiritual fruit. God the Father, the Husbandman of the true Vine, the Lord Jesus Christ, purges these fruit bearing Christians. He prunes away shoots of carnality and worldliness that drain our time and energies, in order that we may grow in righteousness and true holiness. Fourth, in John 15:5 & 8 we encounter those believers who bear much fruit. Our Lord states in verse 5, “I am the vine, ye are the branches. He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit.” Again in verse 8 He states, “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.” Finally, in John 15:16 we encounter the fifth category of spiritual fruit bearing – bringing forth remaining fruit; for our Lord states, “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain.” Herein we also learn that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ chose us and ordained us for this specific purpose – that we should go and bring forth fruit. Yes, our Lord desires that we be fruit bearing Christians. |
Many of us already know that our Lord desires for us to be fruit bearing Christians. Yet I fear that many of us do not recognize the grounds and source of this fruit bearing. When through some means we are emotionally and mentally stirred up to serve the Lord, we often go forth and involve ourselves in much activity for Him. Yet too often we perform this activity out of our own resources, that is – in our own understanding, in our own ability, and in our own strength.
However, in our Lord’s sight this activity is not fruit bearing. In fact, in our Lord’s sight this self-empowered activity is “nothing”. It is of no spiritual value at all. Our Lord’s own words on this matter are found at the end of John 15:5, where He proclaimed, “For without me ye can do nothing.” Nothing, brethren! It is not that we take things most of the way through our own resources, and then the Lord finishes it up with His hand of blessing. It is not that we do our half, and then He does His half. It is not even that we begin the task even just a little, and then our Lord carries things most of the way. According to the Word of our Lord, without Him we can do absolutely nothing. Nothing at all; not even a little, tiny bit.
Now, this is not a phrase that is difficult for us to comprehend mentally. Our Lord’s Word is very straightforward on this matter. If I asked any one of you – According to this verse, what can we do without the Lord? Any one of you could give the obvious answer – nothing. And if I asked any one of you – What is nothing? Any one of you could again give the answer – Well, nothing is just that; it is nothing.
However, although this truth is not difficult for us to comprehend mentally, it is very difficult for us to grasp and accept in the depths of our hearts. Such a truth – that without the Lord we are, can be, and can do nothing – goes against our natural self-image, self-esteem, and self-importance. It strikes directly against the depths of our pride. Yet the Word of our Lord stands true nonetheless. Without Him we are nothing; without Him we can be nothing; and without Him we can do nothing of any value.
Let us then consider this truth, not in a general manner, but in specific application to our daily living:
However, in our Lord’s sight this activity is not fruit bearing. In fact, in our Lord’s sight this self-empowered activity is “nothing”. It is of no spiritual value at all. Our Lord’s own words on this matter are found at the end of John 15:5, where He proclaimed, “For without me ye can do nothing.” Nothing, brethren! It is not that we take things most of the way through our own resources, and then the Lord finishes it up with His hand of blessing. It is not that we do our half, and then He does His half. It is not even that we begin the task even just a little, and then our Lord carries things most of the way. According to the Word of our Lord, without Him we can do absolutely nothing. Nothing at all; not even a little, tiny bit.
Now, this is not a phrase that is difficult for us to comprehend mentally. Our Lord’s Word is very straightforward on this matter. If I asked any one of you – According to this verse, what can we do without the Lord? Any one of you could give the obvious answer – nothing. And if I asked any one of you – What is nothing? Any one of you could again give the answer – Well, nothing is just that; it is nothing.
However, although this truth is not difficult for us to comprehend mentally, it is very difficult for us to grasp and accept in the depths of our hearts. Such a truth – that without the Lord we are, can be, and can do nothing – goes against our natural self-image, self-esteem, and self-importance. It strikes directly against the depths of our pride. Yet the Word of our Lord stands true nonetheless. Without Him we are nothing; without Him we can be nothing; and without Him we can do nothing of any value.
Let us then consider this truth, not in a general manner, but in specific application to our daily living:
1. Without trusting in our Lord, we cannot be eternally saved. 2. Without abiding in our Lord, we cannot flee temptation or resist the devil. 3. Without abiding in our Lord, we cannot separate ourselves from worldliness by refusing to love this world or be conformed to it. 4. Without abiding in our Lord, we cannot love the Lord our God aright, with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. 5. Without abiding in our Lord, we cannot love one another aright, being kind, longsuffering, unselfish, etc. 6. Without abiding in our Lord, we cannot put off the old man, denying our selfish flesh and mortifying the deeds thereof. 7. Without abiding in our Lord, we cannot have a renewed mind in order to maintain godly thinking and a godly attitude. 8. Without abiding in our Lord, we cannot put on the new man and thereby walk in righteousness and true holiness. 9. Without abiding in our Lord, we cannot speak aright, speaking the truth in love, speaking that which is good to the use of edifying, and speaking always with grace. 10. Without abiding in our Lord, we cannot have a godly attitude, being meek rather than angry; being tenderhearted rather than bitter in spirit; etc. 11. Without abiding in our Lord, we cannot forbear and forgive one another. 12. Without abiding in our Lord, we cannot bring forth the fruit of the Spirit. 13. Without abiding in our Lord, we cannot delight in God’s Word, studying it and meditating in it faithfully. 14. Without abiding in our Lord, we cannot pray in the Spirit without ceasing. 15. Without abiding in our Lord, we cannot give thanks always for all things or rejoice in the Lord always. 16. Without abiding in our Lord, we cannot be content in whatever state we are. 17. Without abiding in our Lord, we cannot be faithful servants and stewards of our Lord. 18. Without abiding in our Lord, we cannot seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. 19. Without abiding in our Lord, we cannot honor the Lord with our substance. 20. Without abiding in our Lord, husbands cannot love, nourish, cherish their own wives aright. 21. Without abiding in our Lord, wives cannot honor and submit to their own husbands aright. 22. Without abiding in our Lord, parents cannot train up their own children aright. 23. Without abiding in our Lord, children cannot obey and honor their own parents aright. 24. Without abiding in our Lord, we cannot be good students, teachers, employees, or employers. 25. Without abiding in our Lord, we cannot maintain a godly testimony as spiritual salt and light for this lost world. 26. Without abiding in our Lord, we cannot witness with spiritual boldness, wisdom, and effectiveness to the lost. 27. Without abiding in our Lord, we cannot edify and exhort one another as brethren in Christ. 28. Without abiding in our Lord, we cannot sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs unto the praise of our Lord. 29. Without abiding in our Lord, we cannot walk in spiritual wisdom. 30. Without abiding in our Lord, we cannot be zealous of good works. |
And this list is only a sampling of that which we might consider. Indeed, we can do nothing of that which our Lord requires of us without abiding in Him. On the other hand, Philippians 4:11 reveals the assurance, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Let us then commit ourselves to begin each day by seeking to abide in our Lord. Let us end each day by confessing where we have failed to abide in Him and by praying that we might abide more faithfully on the morrow. And let us pass through each hour, yea through each moment, ever seeking to abide in our Lord. This is what we need; for without Him we can do nothing, but through Him we can do all things.