THE BRANCH DISPLAYS THE FRUIT, BUT THE VINE PRODUCES IT!

YOU DISPLAY THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT, BUT "YOU" DON'T PRODUCE IT!

“…HE THAT ABIDETH IN ME, AND I IN HIM, THE SAME BRINGETH FORTH MUCH FRUIT…” (JOHN 15:5 KJV). “…HEREIN IS MY FATHER GLORIED THAT YE BEAR MUCH FRUIT….” (JOHN 15:7 KJV). 

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 Choosing to live separated or independent from the UNION with Christ results in fruitlessness and spiritual withering. “…I AM THE VINE AND YE ARE THE BRANCHES…” (JOHN 15:1, 5 NIV). “….Apart from [JESUS, the indwelling Holy Spirit] … YOU CAN DO NOTHING…” (John 15:5 NIV).

ONLY the believer, who chooses to REMAIN in the UNION with Christ, will produce spiritual FRUIT. “…HE THAT ABIDETH IN ME, AND I IN HIM, THE SAME BRINGETH FORTH MUCH FRUIT…” (JOHN 15:5 KJV).

To put it bluntly, the believer who CHOOSES to separate or live independently from the UNION with Christ will BEAR “NO” spiritual FRUIT!! “…The branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine …” (John 15:4-6 NASB).

Moral or religious behavior, outside of the UNION with Christ presents an illusion of the spiritual fruit of Christianity, but it is separated from the POWER that comes ONLY from the indwelling Holy Spirit. “…People will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly (fruitful). Stay away from people like that!” (2 Timothy 3:1-5 NLT).

The UNION with Christ PRODUCES spiritual fruit and it is “THE WAY” God has established and NONE other. “…The branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine …” (John 15:4-6 NASB). “….Apart from [the VINE] … YOU CAN DO NOTHING…” (John 15:5 NIV).

The parable, in John 15, is basically about REMAINING in the UNION with Christ, to the point its THE WORD becomes so absorbed into the believer’s heart it produces spiritual fruit. “…I (Jesus, the Word) AM THE VINE AND YE ARE THE BRANCHES…” (JOHN 15:1, 5 NIV). “…HE THAT ABIDETH IN ME, AND I (Jesus, the word) IN HIM…” (JOHN 15:5 KJV).

 Willfully choosing to REMAIN in the UNION with Christ results in spiritual fruit, stops separation, activates God’s provisions, and promotes God’s glory (reveals and confirms his presence upon earth).

1. SPIRITUAL FRUIT: “…HE THAT ABIDETH IN ME, AND I IN HIM, THE SAME BRINGETH FORTH MUCH FRUIT…” (JOHN 15:5 KJV).

The union with God through Christ bonds the believer with God and imparts spiritual life through the indwelling Spirit. “…He that is joined (bonded) unto the LORD is ONE SPIRIT…” (1 Corinthians 6:17 KJV). “…the Holy Spirit GIVES birth to SPIRITUAL LIFE…” (John 3:6 NLT).“…God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son (The WORD) “INTO” … [YOUR HEARTS]…” (Galatians 4:6 NASB).

God purposefully creates an unique, intimate connection that, by virtue of the relationship, will produce spiritual fruit. “…Every good tree bringeth forth good fruit...” (Matthew 7:16-22 KJV).

The believer connects with God, the Holy Spirit and they BECOME ONE UNIT. The continual UNION will become evident when the believer begins to bear the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit. “…Ye shall know them by their fruits…” (Matthew 7:16 KJV). “…The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance…” (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV).

A call to REMAIN or ABIDE in the UNION with Christ brings attention to the important of the Godly connection. “…I AM THE VINE AND YE ARE THE BRANCHES…” (JOHN 15:1, 5 NIV). “…Abide in me, and I in you…” (John 15:4 KJV).

The parable is a reminder that the ongoing UNION with Christ becomes EVIDENT when the believer produces spiritual fruit and that fruit is displayed THROUGH them. “…It is God who works IN YOU… to will and to act…” (Philippians 2:13 NIV).

Therefore, REMAINING in the UNION with Christ strengthens the relationship with God while sharpening the practice, application, or experience of fruit-bearing. “…HE THAT ABIDETH IN ME, AND I IN HIM, THE SAME BRINGETH FORTH MUCH FRUIT…” (JOHN 15:5 KJV).

UNION with Christ “IS” the way to be spiritually fruitful. “…Apart from Me you can do nothing…” (John 15:4-6 NASB).  Self-effort or independent acts of moral conformity or so-called obedience will NOT or will NEVER produce true spiritual fruit. “…The branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine …” (John 15:4-6 NASB).

Spiritual fruit stems from the indwelling spirit and is the ONLY way to walk in true Christian conduct. “…the Holy Spirit gives birth to SPIRITUAL LIFE…” (John 3:6 NLT).  “…May…God …work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ…” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV).

The UNION with Christ activates the growth and development of spiritual fruit. “…You cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me…” (John 15:4 NLT).

The more consistent the believer REMAINS in the UNION with Christ; the more spiritual fruit they produce. “…Will produce much fruit…” (John 15:5 KJV).

REMAINING in the UNION with Christ creates ongoing fruit-bearing that is expressed, witnessed, displayed, and experienced THROUGH the believer’s character, conduct and speech. “…The branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine …” (John 15:4-6 NASB).

Believers who imitate fruit-bearing have no POWER to sustain true Christian character, conduct, or speech, but will eventually become useless as a withered branch. “…Apart from Me you can do nothing…” (John 15:4-6 NASB). “…If a man abide NOT in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered…” (John 15:6 KJV).

It is the UNION with Christ that improves character, conduct, or speech and enables the believer to minister Christlike or fruitful spirituality into the lives of others. “…work[ing] … in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ…” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV).

UNION with Christ empowers believers with spiritual fruit that will transform their OWN character, conduct, or speech as well as that of other men and women. “…God  … works in you to will and to act…” (Philippians 2:13 NIV).

REMAINING in UNION with Christ is NOT a dictating law, but a free choice. “…choose LIFE, that … thou … may LIVE…” (Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV).  If the believer chooses to REMAIN in UNION with Christ, he or she “WILL” bear fruit. “…will produce much fruit…” (John 15:5 NLT).

“…MUCH FRUIT…” is PROOF of a believers ongoing UNION with Christ (John 15:5 KJV). “…You bear much fruit, and so PROVE to be My disciples…” (John 15:8 NIV).

“…Much fruit…” also gives GLORY to God (reveals his presence and confirms his Word upon earth) by the display of his spiritual fruit in the believer’s character, conduct, and speech!
"…My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so PROVE to be My disciples” (John 15:8 NIV).

God is not glorified by “NO” fruit or “LITTLE” fruit, but “MUCH” fruit! “…My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit …” (John 15:8 NIV). "… I chose you, and appointed you that you should go and BEAR FRUIT…” (John 15:16 ASV).

REMAINING in the UNION with Christ comes with the PROMISE of fruit-bearing; “…MUCH FRUIT…” (John 15:5 KJV).

Along with the promise of bearing “…much fruit…” comes the sobering statement that apart from the UNION with Christ, “…ye can do NOTHING…” (John 15:5 KJV).

A life APART or SEPARATED or independent from the UNION with Christ produces “NOTHING” spiritually fruitful and is “NOT” able to do so. “...Apart from Me you can do nothing…” (John 15:4-6 NASB).

SEPARATION CUTS OFF THE SOURCE OF FRUIT-BEARING.  For instance, JOY is a fruit of the indwelling Spirit. REMAINING in the UNION with Christ empowers the believer to PRODUCE and GIVE BIRTH to the fruit of JOY.

The fruit of JOY is PRODUCED by the indwelling Holy Spirit. Further, once the Holy Spirit produces the fruit it is DISPLAYED through the believer, who is ABIDING with HIM. “…abide in ME and I in YOU…” (John 15:4 KJV).

The alternative is NOT abiding in the union with Christ, which results in separation from Him. Separation from Him brings forth a state of withering, or spiritual barrenness, and uselessness that ends in destruction.

Once you pluck a rose away from the rosebush it immediately begins to wither up, dry up, fall apart, turn brown, and lose its sweet aroma. Eventually, the rose will have no use and will be thrown away.

When a believer does NOT remain in UNION with Christ they become separated from him and will no longer bear spiritual fruit.

As soon as the believer chooses, on their own volition, to break the connection with the indwelling Spirit they cut-off their source of spiritual LIFE.

The believer’s spiritual life begins to shrivel, droop, wither, dry up, become fruitless, and that is why they are no longer contributing, adding-to, or building-up the Kingdom of God.

The believer who does not REMAIN in UNION with CHRIST can be an awesome religious speaker, have the gift of prophesy, understand all mysteries and knowledge, have faith that moves mountains, be a generous philanthropist, and a sacrificial donor to the poor, but still be “good for nothing.”

“…Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour … It is thenceforth GOOD FOR NOTHING, but to be cast out…” (Matthew 5:13 KJV).

“…If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing…” (1 Corinthians 13:1-5 NASB). “…God is love…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV). “…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV). “…The fruit of [God’s]… Spirit is LOVE, JOY….” (Galatians 5:22-23).

No matter what the believer does in moral works or behavior, APART from the UNION with Christ, he or she has done NOTHING! “...Apart from Me you can do nothing…” (John 15:4-6 NASB). “…The Holy Spirit gives birth to SPIRITUAL LIFE…” (John 3:6 NLT). “…It is the SPIRIT who “GIVES” LIFE; the flesh profits nothing…” (John 6:63 NASB).  

Apart from the UNION with Christ the opportunity for a noble or fruitful Christlike life is NOT possible. “...Apart from Me you can do nothing…” (John 15:4-6 NASB). “…the things which are impossible with men are possible with God…” (Luke 18:27 KJV).

Without REMAINING in the UNION with Christ, any HOPE for true Christian character, conduct, or speech dies, rots, withers, and dries up. “…God  … works in you to will and to act…” (Philippians 2:13 NIV). “...Apart from Me you can do nothing…” (John 15:4-6 NASB).

Separation from the Vine ends with the withered and useless group of dead branches. John 15 gives a clear picture of what will also befall those who chooses NOT to remain in the UNION with Christ. “…men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned….” (John 15:6 KJV).

The parable was written for YOUR benefit. “…Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition (warning)…” (1 Corinthians 10:11 KJV). “…Whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, …” (Romans 15:4 KJV).

There is both a WARNING and a LESSON in the parable. The WARNING is to REMAIN in UNION with Christ.

The LESSON is that choosing NOT to remain in union with Christ results in a withered and fruitless life that ends in death by fire. “…Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, …For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ…” (2 Peter 1: 4-9 KJV).

GOD’S FRUITFUL PROVISIONS comes from REMAINING in the UNION with Christ. Producing spiritual fruit that the believer can DISPLAY is God’s way of providing them. He “IS” their shepherd. “…The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever” (Psalms 23 KJV). “…[He] WILL supply all [my need]… according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19 NASB)

When the believer chooses to STAY in UNION with CHRIST God will care for them, comfort them, supply their needs, impart spiritual blessings, never leave them, and love them forever. “...Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you…” (1 Peter 5:7 KJV).

“…Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by …our comfort is abundant through Christ.…” (2 Corinthians 1:3-5 NASB).

 “…God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need …” (2 Corinthians 9:8 NLT). “…[he]…WILL SUPPLY ALL YOUR NEED…” (Philippians 4:13 KJV)

“…Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who HATH blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ…” (Romans 1:3 KJV).

“…God has said “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you…” (Hebrews 13:5 NIV). “…I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS, to the very end…"(Matthew 28:20 NIV).  “…Behold, I AM WITH… [YOU] and  …I WILL NOT LEAVE [YOU]…." (Genesis 28:15 ASV). “…The LORD thy God …will not fail (leave) thee, nor forsake thee…” (Deuteronomy 31:6 KJV).  “…Behold, I am with… [you] and will keep… [you] whithersoever [you]… goest…I will not leave [you]..." (Genesis 28:15 ASV).

“… [God has]... loved [you]...with an everlasting love….” (Jeremiah 31:3 KJV). “…I am the Lord, I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV).  ^“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8 NIV).

REMAINING in the UNION with Christ is about God’s unselfish, LOVING DESIRE toward YOU which is simply to personally care for you, to keep you safe, and to provide for you. “…God is LOVE…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV). “…Love is KIND … it is NOT self-seeking….” (1 Corinthians 13: 4-8 NIV).  “… Christ “PLEASED” NOT himself…” (Romans 15:3 KJV). “…Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich…” (2 Corinthians 8:9 KJV).

God purposefully and personally PROVIDES for you. It is his own divine choice to do so. God is always the forerunner in his commands. He says “…abide in me and “I” in you…” (John 15:4 KJV).

Christ does it FIRST. He loves FIRST and gives FIRST. Therefore, He WILL REMAIN in the UNION with the believer. “…WE LOVE, because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19 ASV). “…We give [God]..only what [he]…first gave us! …” (1 Chronicles 29:14 NLT). “…abide in me and “I” in you…” (John 15:4 KJV). “…I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS, to the very end…"(Matthew 28:20 NIV). “…I am the Lord, I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV).

REMAINING in the UNION with Christ SATISFIES the human SOUL. “…God will supply all [your need]…” (Philippians 4:19 NASB). “…[God ALONE will]… satisfy …and refresh everyone …” (Jeremiah 31:25 NASB).“…O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water. I have seen you in your sanctuary and gazed upon your power and glory. Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise you! I will praise you as long as I live, lifting up my hands to you in prayer. YOU SATISFY ME more than the richest feast. I will praise you with songs of joy…” (Psalms 63:1-5 NLT). “… [GOD ALONE WILL]…satisfy …” (Jeremiah 31:25 NASB).

The SOUL is made WHOLE, HOLY, and COMPLETE through the UNION with the indwelling Holy Spirit.  “…May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together—spirit, soul, and body—and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ. The One who called you is completely dependable. If he said it, he’ll do it!” (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 MSG).

The fruit of JOY is  the EVIDENCE of the intimate UNION between God and the believer and the indwelling Holy Spirit is the SOURCE that PRODUCES the fruit.. “…The …HOLY SPIRIT …is the SOURCE of [all spiritual fruit]. …it is …God who does the work IN and THROUGH all of us who are his. The HOLY SPIRIT DISPLAYS God’s power (to bear fruit) THROUGH each of us … (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT).

REMAINING in the UNION with Christ is simply about God’s UNSELFISH, heartfelt DESIRE to LOVE and CARE for you. “…There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life…” (John 15:13 NLT). “...he careth for you…” (1 Peter 5:7 KJV).

GOD IS GLORIFIED (revealed and confirmed) BY THE FRUIT DISPLAYED in and through the LIFE of the believer. It is REMAINING in the UNION with Christ that produces the fruit that is DISPLAYED. "…My Father is glorified by this, that you bear (display) much fruit …” (John 15:8 NIV).

GLORY to God is given whenever his presence is revealed and his Word is confirmed, and  his GOODNESS is witnessed through the spiritual fruit displayed in the lives of believers.  “… [So when] Moses said, “Now show me your GLORY.” …The Lord said, “I will cause all my GOODNESS to pass in front of you…” (Exodus 33:16-23 NIV). One of “…The fruit of the Spirit is …GOODNESS….” (Galatians 5:22-23).  

Every time God is revealed, his Word confirmed and his Goodness is witnessed, in any form or fashion, including seeing the fruit of the Spirit in your he lives of his people: it is gives God GLORY!! “……the riches of his GOODNESS….” (Romans  2:4 KJV). “…for the lord is GOOD…” (Psalm 100:5 KJV). “Thou are GOOD and doest GOOD…” (Psalm 119:68 KJV). “…Oh how great is thy GOODNESS…” (Psalm 31:19 KJV). “…for he is GOOD…” (Psalm 107:1 KJV). “..The lord is GOOD…” (Nahum 1:7 KJV). “…GOOD and upright is the Lord…” (Psalm 25:8 KJV). “…For thou, Lord, is GOOD…” (Psalm 86:5 KJV). “…Surely GOODNESS and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life…” (Psalms 23 KJV).

“…We give [God]...only what [he]…first gave us! …” (1 Chronicles 29:14 NLT). “…God SO LOVED the world, that he GAVE…his … son…” (John 3:16). “…God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son “INTO” OUR HEARTS…” (Galatians 4:6 NASB).  “…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV).  “…the Lord is that Spirit [too]…” (2 Corinthians 3:17 KJV). “…Jesus Christ is IN YOU…” (2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV). “…Christ be “IN” YOU… (Romans 8:10 KJV).  “…The Spirit of God dwell IN you…” (Romans 8:9 KJV).  “…ABIDE in me and “I” in you … the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vines; no more can ye, except ye abide in me…He that abideth in me, and I in him, the SAME bringeth forth MUCH FRUIT…” (John 15:4-5 KJV).

“…The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance…” (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV).

When the believer REMAINS in the UNION with CHRIST, God will reveal himself, confirmed his Word and give ample witness to his goodness. The Father’s GOODNESS is DISPLAYED when HIS PEOPLE "...BEAR "MUCH" SPIRITUAL FRUIT!..." “…HE THAT ABIDETH IN ME, AND I IN HIM, THE SAME BRINGETH FORTH MUCH FRUIT…” (JOHN 15:5 KJV). “…HEREIN IS MY FATHER GLORIED THAT YE BEAR MUCH FRUIT….” (JOHN 15:7 KJV).

 THE INTIMATE UNION BETWEEN YOU AND GOD, THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL CAUSE YOU TO BEAR OR DISPLAY GOD'S SPIRITUAL FRUIT, HOWEVER, IT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT THAT PRODUCES IT.