What marks a fruitful Christian? It is not what he does but knowing who he really is in Christ.
You have to know who you are (being) before you do things for Christ. It reminds me of a fish. A fish knows who he is and because he is a fish he naturally swims. I’ve never heard of a fish die because he drowned.
The disciples had an interesting conversation with Jesus about DOING.
John 6:28 ¶ Then they said to Him, “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?”
John 6:29 ¶ Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.”
What must we do to do the works of God? I thought Jesus would say
a. do tract distributions
b. start a small group
c. volunteer for Habitat
d. be a full time minister
But Jesus said “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.”
That’s it? Believe in Him whom He sent. Know Jesus and believe in Him. Yes that’s it. Know who you are in Christ and then you do what you are supposed to be doing because you now know who you are.
John 15:4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
John 15:5 ¶ “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
Oo nga boss. Tama nga. Galing. Something to help us get back into focus.
Its missing scriptural meaning. It need to add Galatians 5:22
Because Paul explained it further.. It need to add.
galatians 5 : 22
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25
Jesus said :John 15:4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
As Jesus said those who abide in Him…..and Paul explained those who belong to Christ will bear these kinds of fruits.
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.
If we are in Christ or we are truly belong to Him .or If Jesus truly lived in us then we would have the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience,kindness , goodness and faithfulness, gentleness and self control. If Jesus is not inside of us, then we won’t have these. Only true christians will have these things. Now that the MARK of a Christian.
Paul explained further on v. 24 THOSE WHO BELONG TO CHRIST JESUS…. Have CRUCIFIED THE SINFUL NATURE… and what are the sinful nature ? its the exact opposite of the fruits of the Spirit , lack of patience, Lack of kindness, quick to anger , being judgemental (thats lack of love) to believers and unbelievers ,lack of being hospitable etc.
v.19 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
If we have those sin or bad behavior , then We are NOT abiding in the Vine which is Christ.
Ganda. Galing
@ Sandra. thanks for the additional verses. It was just my quiet time revelation
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Greetings to everybody!!! The fish reminds me of Jesus as the vine and we are the branches. We’re like fish and Jesus is the water. Apart from Him (water), a man (a fish) can do nothing but die. Seeing this, God can fully see that man (fish) can do nothing to save himself so out of God’s love seeing a dying man (fish), He sent His Son (water of life) to save us so we can swim (live) freely back into God’s loving arms.