Fruit of the Spirit?

[msmith]

Kevin, Wayne, anybody,

Help me understand the fruit of the Spirit in the context of John 15: 1-10. Particularly v 4, “As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.”

[Kevin]

Hi Marc,
The passage in John 15:1-10 is talking about fruit, not so much 'fruit of the spirit', (though that is not necessarily excluded) but rather fruit as in the inevitable blessings; the results of a transformed and obedient life.  Verses 9 & 10 you will notice cap off this dialogue with a reference to Jesus' commandments.  These commandments need to be kept in order that we can 'ABIDE' in Him and He in us. Yet earlier in verses 5 & 6 for example, the imagery is that of vine and branches abiding and bearing fruit or otherwise.  However verses 11 & 12 leave us in no doubt that Jesus' is talking about our loving each other as He loves us, and in general keeping His other commandments, such as loving our enemies etc.
If we can keep Jesus' commandments and abide in fellowship with Him, then He will abide in us and our lives will bear much good fruit.  This could include a positive witness that leads a non believer to faith in Christ.  But that is not one of the listed 'Fruit of the Spirit'?
Remember that Jesus taught us that we are to love one another and that by this will men know that we are His disciples.
I believe that this is the message that Jesus has for us in John 15:1-10,-12 and if I were asked to preach on that passage, that would be the theme I would use; not the fruit of the Spirit.

God Bless,
Kevin

[Wayne Perry]

Well, I guess better late than never. I ran across Marc's request a few days back. Don't know how I missed it for so long but here goes.

I feel we understand the "vine, branch, husbandman" relationship and probably more than the disciples did at the time Jesus was speaking to them. The disciples were a very confused bunch at this time. They really had very little understanding of Jesus' teachings. They had seen the miracles He had performed but Jesus' words most often went over their heads. I feel when Jesus spoke to them about "leaving them" but would send the Comforter and in fact could not send the Comforter until Jesus had gone away made absolutely no sense to them. It was not until Pentecost that they became "filled" with the Holy Spirit that they finally came to understand what Jesus had been teaching.

As Jesus speaks in John 15 He understands the confusion and lack of understanding of the disciples and that much more confusion is on the way with His crucifixion. I feel when He speaks of "abiding in me" he is trying to encourage the disciples to "hang in" until the events He has informed them of (and that He knows are about to happen) have come to pass. (The word abide from Strongs Greek dictionary means to stay, in a given place, state, relationship, expectancy. Abide, continue, dwell, endure, be present, remain, stand, tarry). It seems He is speaking to them on a physical or human level as encouragement to "hang in" until the Holy Spirit can deal with them on a spiritual level....or they in Christ and Christ in them and then "bearing of fruit".

All that we have discussed regarding fruits of the Spirit and what they are is a truth as it pertains to believers...no doubt. But, my simple reasoning is the Holy Spirit working to accomplish God's will is not necessarily restricted to believers. Therefore, any work that is accomplished by the Holy Spirit as willed by God would, in my mind, be considered "fruits of the Spirit". For me to restrict them to the list that has been discussed or limit (in my mind) the powers of the Holy Spirit in any manner would be akin to my telling God, "Well, now God you can't do it that way". I doubt I would like His answer. The words, "Nothing is impossible with God", should tell us that we cannot put God into a "box" of our simple understandings.

Wayne