In no way am I denying that fruit is manifested externally and exposed outwardly from those branches that abide in the True Vine, but let us never glory in fruits. We have established that you must abide in Him, that it is not done in ourselves and outside of our experience, and that all things come from the vine, then why do you marvel that these same verses say that all your works also start and come from Him. I pray that He is pleased to bless these words and they may bear fruit that glorifies the Father.
Extra Credit: Today I recommend this short article from Henry Mahan that not only looks at the fruits that are by grace alone, but that Saving Faith Always is Accompanied by Saving Graces.
Jhn 15:8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
What are the fruits and who produces it?
Much is made or misinterpreted about the fruits. Close attention is paid by some professing Christians about the fruits they have or others should produce. Glory is given and taken to the outward bounty and praise is heaped on the end product. Sermons are preached weekly telling of what we need to do, criticism is made of what others do not represent, and self-pride is gushing from what we have done. The truth be known, our best fruits are so tainted that we should hardly tell them apart from our worst. We can try as we like but we shall never make the tree any better. Good fruit, even if we were of a nature and capability to produce, does not make the tree good but a good tree produces good fruit. A grape after it ripens is not attached to the vine but it is an organic product or evidence of the inner life of the vine. The fruits we bear and the Father is glorified in comes from the True Vine and not of ourselves. If there be any love, it is the love of Christ. If there be any joy, it is the joy of Christ. If there be peace, it is His peace. If there is any meekness, gentleness, or long-suffering it is His and His alone. Our fruits does not make us Disciples of Christ but is the proof and evidence that we abide in Him.
