“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” John 15:5,8 NIV
Jesus Christ let His disciples know that even though He would not be physically present with them always, He would send the Holy Spirit to be “with” and “in” them (Joh.14:17 ASV). Second, He uses this opportunity to instruct them to remain in close fellowship with Him, the only True Source of life, through the power of the Holy Spirit, that they may bear spiritual fruit, receive answers to prayer, and have fullness of joy. Christ is the Head or "source" of life to the church (the body of Christ). As children of God, we have Christ in us through God's gift of the Holy Spirit given to every believer. He is in us at all times; and therefore, we are to abide in Him at all times, and not the carnal or sinful nature.
a person who is not abiding in God, then he or she is not growing spiritually in the knowledge and ways of God, and is lacking in the fruits of the Spirit. This person is or becomes useless in the things of God, and is similar to a withered branch that men would gather and burn because it bears no fruit.
The fruits of the spirit: Love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Hello. My name is Jeff Palmer and I'm an American pastor / church planter serving in New Zealand. The name of our new church plant is The Vine and I love the style of the logo you have on your blog especially with the John 15:5 scripture - the basis for our new church! Did you create that logo? If not, curious where you may have acquired it? Please feel free to contact me at jpalmer@nmsi.org. Many blessings, Jeff.
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