Galatians 5:22-26 [show]Galatians 5:22-26
[22]But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23]gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. [24]And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
[25]If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. [26]Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. (ESV)
& John 15:1-17 [show]John 15:1-17
[15:1]"I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. [2]Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. [3]Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. [4]Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. [5]I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. [6]If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. [7]If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. [8]By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. [9]As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. [10]If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. [11]These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
[12]"This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. [13]Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. [14]You are my friends if you do what I command you. [15]No longer do I call you servants,(1) for the servant(2) does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. [16]You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. [17]These things I command you, so that you will love one another. (ESV)
Footnotes
1. [15:15] Greek 'bondservants'
2. [15:15] Greek 'bondservant'; also verse 20
Jesus was heading to his death as he gave these words to his friends – the disciples. If you knew you were going to die tomorrow, what would be your parting words to your closest friends or your children?
What is your reaction to Jesus’ assertion that he is the One true vine, the true Israel and by implication – the fulfillment of God’s plans to bless all nations of the world?
One of Jesus’ favorite words was menō, often translated “remain in,” “stay in,” “rest in”, or “abide.” It describes a profound, intimate, and enduring relationship (John 8:31 [show]John 8:31
[31]So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, (ESV), John 14:10-11 [show]John 14:10-11
[10]Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. [11]Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves. (ESV)). The mutual indwelling between God and the believer is, an enduring, permanent, and eternal relationship (1 John 2:14-17 [show]1 John 2:14-17
[14]I write to you, fathers,
because you know him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young men,
because you are strong,
and the word of God abides in you,
and you have overcome the evil one.
[15]Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. [16]For all that is in the world--the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions--is not from the Father but is from the world. [17]And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. (ESV)). In what ways do you find yourself abiding in that which is ephemeral, inauthentic, dying, unfruitful, decaying, imperfect, or fading? How might your false attachments interfere with your experience of the fullness of joy? Of the images that Jesus uses in this text which ones give you the great sense of security and hope?
What are ways God is at work pruning you? In what ways has God been at work in you to produce the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-26 [show]Galatians 5:22-26
[22]But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23]gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. [24]And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
[25]If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. [26]Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. (ESV))?
Love:
Joy:
Peace:
Patience:
Kindness:
Goodness:
Faithfulness:
Gentleness:
self-control:
One of the reasons we can share in Christ’s joy is because we are cleansed by his word (John 15:3 [show]John 15:3
[3]Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. (ESV)). Which words of Christ do you find particularly “cleansing”?
We can share Christ’s joy because by God’s give us BOTH humility about ourselves (John 15:5 [show]John 15:5
[5]I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. (ESV)) and confidence in God (John 15:7 [show]John 15:7
[7]If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. (ESV)). In what ways do you experience this humility and confidence? Are there times when you tend to experience one at the expense of the other? What is different about those times of imbalance?
We can share Christ’s joy because the Father Connects us with Love. What would it mean for you to love others as Jesus loved His disciples and as He has loved you (John13:34; John 15:12-13 [show]John 15:12-13
[12]"This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. [13]Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. (ESV))? What are some specific acts of love that God might be calling you to do this week?
