Results 1 - 4 of 4
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Fruit vs. Works: the same or different? | Gal 5:22 | Hiskid84 | 129749 | ||
Fruit vs Works: are they the same thing? Jesus said, in regards to bearing fruit, we can do nothing outside of Him (John 15:5). He says we must abide in Him. In verse 9, He says if we abide in His love we will keep His commandments. While doing a study today of John 15:5 and surrounding text, I realized I was trying to equate fruit with works. Is this an incorrect assumption? Are they two separate things? I'd greatly appreciate any Scripture showing that they are either equal or two separate things. In Christ, Karen |
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2 | Fruit vs. Works: the same or different? | Gal 5:22 | Country Girl | 129936 | ||
I do see some close correlation between fruits of the Spirit, fruit of our vine being connected to the Branch of our Lord and the works or acts of Christianity as discussed in James 2. It seems from the verses as given in the Bible that the fruits are reflective of our spiritual personality. We see some christians who are more talented in showing their fruits than others. Thus, some are better at showing patience or others may find it easier to be loving or kind. Some of these fruits are also inter-related but we should strive to add them all to our spiritual person and upon adding them, strive to improve them and grow in our spiritual relationship with our Lord. This results in a better, well armed christian to ward off sin in our life. Now as to works or acts of Christianity, the fruits of the spirit help support those works. When we're truly kind and loving to our fellow man, then we can show those acts of kindness with genuineness and Agape type love. The wonderful thing about working in the Lord's vineyard in this way has a receprical return as the Lord told us it would. Acts of Christianity has a way of spreading the love and enthusiasm in His Name, all to His Glory. We experenice growth both spiritually and numerically. We see our fellow christians round about us grow and mature in their relationship. They help us grow as we help them. We talk about our weaknesses and exchange them for each other's strengths. Thus the body of our Lord grows all the more. So you see, all of this is very closely intertwined as it should be. But I would also add that our Lord does expect to see some of the evidence of Christianity both in our lives now and on Judgment Day after living a faithful live. Rev 2:10. Blessings to you. Country Girl |
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3 | Fruit vs. Works: the same or different? | Gal 5:22 | Hiskid84 | 129985 | ||
Hi, Country Girl. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. They gave me some new things to think about. I'm not sure if it was intentional on your part but you refered to us as the vine and Jesus as the Branch. I believe it is always the other way around in Scripture (He is the vine, we are the branches). I would also address the point where you and I differ in every post. I understand that you are compelled to say that we may be surprised with a one-way ticket to hell on Judgment Day if we aren't careful in accumulating enough "good works" to gain us entry into heaven. I know you say this in sincerity of heart, believing it to be both true and also to be beneficial to the readers of this forum. In the same way I am compelled to disagree. Though I do appreciate your thoughts on fruit and works, I believe that both are born out of our relationship with God, not the other way around. You wrote: "Some of these fruits are also inter-related but we should strive to add them all to our spiritual person and upon adding them, strive to improve them and grow in our spiritual relationship with our Lord." According to your order we must first gain fruit, then work (with diligence) to improve them, and lastly, grow in the Lord. Even if I agreed that we could do these things on our own (and I don't), I would beg to differ with the order. As I stated in my previous post, in my understanding of Scripture our fruit and/or works come out of our relationship with God, not the other way around. Just as you feel it is imperative to continually tell people they should constantly work at gaining access into heaven (just in case all that work is needed), lest they miss it, I feel it is just as imperative to refute your statement and suggest that people should rely on the finished work of Christ for their eternal heavenly home. You see, for me it is not a matter of "covering all the bases." It is a matter of helping people to see God for who He truly is. The Sovereign Creator of everything and Ruler over all His creation. To make salvation dependant upon our works is to make God impotent rather than Omnipotent. Thus man's view of God becomes smaller and smaller. Okay. That's all. May you be blessed, Karen |
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4 | Fruit vs. Works: the same or different? | Gal 5:22 | Country Girl | 129995 | ||
Thanks for pointing out my errors. I'm glad you understood the gist of my post. Yes, indeed Christ and His Father are the only sources for any and all good things in this life and in the next. In the final analysis, I see both our fruits of the Spirit and the works we attempt to accomplish in "the name of the Lord" all just boil down to being evidence of the Holy Spirit that lives within us. IF we see no such fruits or any such works going on in the life of a christian then we should approach that brother/sister and be kind and gentle but try to find out why they're not producing fruit and/or works for their Lord and Master. Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. 2 Timothy 2:24 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, We must remember imitating Christ should be reflected as a whole lifestyle. If we couldn't be arrested in an anti-Christian country for the lifestyle we're living here at home, how can we expect God to let us into Heaven? If our lives are NOT proclaiming the name of Christ here on earth, why should His Father proclaim our name at the entrance of His Home for us? Blessings to you. Country Girl |
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