The Holy Spirit (47)
By Abraham Eli
This study was first taught on September 22, 2013
Topic: The Essence of the Holy Spirit in Our Lives (7): The Progression in Fruit-Bearing (4)
(use the audio to study)
Background
Last week, we saw that the requirement for bearing much fruit is the reciprocity of the believer in Christ abiding in Christ, and Christ abiding in him as well. We saw that it is one thing to abide in Christ, and a completely different thing for Christ to abide in the believer. We saw that it is this reciprocity of abiding that is the key input which makes the believer in Christ able to bear much fruit, for the Lord said, “He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”
We noted that you are not abiding in Christ, just because you claim to be born again, or, because you are attending church meetings and programs, or, because you are a worker in the church, or, because you are giving to the work of God, or, because you are telling people about Jesus Christ! Rather, you are abiding in Christ when:
(a) You remain in Christ, no matter what; that is, you are not just visiting Christ when you like, and for the fulfillment of some personal/carnal purpose. But your abiding is such that nothing will be able to take you away from Christ.
(b) You are totally committed to the Lord and to His work.
(c) You are totally separated from the world and anything that can defile you.
(d) You have forsaken all to follow Jesus (that is, you have consciously left behind things that are seemingly significant, but which, in the light of following Christ, are detrimental).
(e) You are in a love relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, which is essentially evidenced by your complete obedience to the Lord.
(f) The Holy Spirit is dwelling in you, and not just around you. This is evidenced by your hatred against anything that is contrary to God, and your love and devotion for everything that God loves.
We saw that this kind of abiding attracts Christ and the Father to abide in you. We also noted that ‘pruning’, (which is the Father’s operation, through the application of the word and the Holy Spirit, to remove things that defile, and will not allow the believer to be more fruitful), also prepares you for the Lord to come and abide in you. By Christ abiding in you, you effectively become the temple or residence of God, and as a result you will bear much fruit, which manifest as the life of Christ being lived in, and through you. The fruit or outflow of the life of Christ which issues forth from you can manifest as your godly character under pressure or persecution, as well as your joyful service as directed by the Holy Spirit, even in unpleasant conditions. Such display of the life of Christ in you, gladdens the heart of God. It makes God answer all your prayers, and, brings glory to His Name. This is what makes us true disciples of Christ!
Scripture Text(s)
John 15:16
As much as bearing ‘much fruit’ is laudable, it is the ‘abiding’ of the much fruit that is crucial. Tonight, we shall look at what makes us to progress from bearing ‘much fruit’ to ensuring that the fruit abides. We pray that the Holy Spirit will make the fruit which delights the heart of God to abide, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
It is one thing for a tree to be bearing fruit, but it is a completely different thing for the fruit that is brought forth to remain until it ripens and is ready for plucking. In the same way, as good as it is for a believer to bear ‘much fruit’, the ultimate is for his fruit to ripen and remain, so that the Husbandman, our Heavenly Father, can have what He always desired—fruit!
Luke 13:6; 2 Kings 13:20-21, 14-19, 25; Acts 13:36; Hebrews 9:27; Job 15:20-35; Matthew 24:3-13; 1 Kings 20:11; Daniel 2:44; 1 Corinthians 3:6-15; 4:5; 1 Peter 1:7; 1 Thessalonians 2:19; 2 Corinthians 5:10; 1 Corinthians 6:12-20; Matthew 12:36-37; Ecclesiastes 12:14; Galatians 6:7-10.
Conclusion
When we talk of abiding fruit, we are talking about the fruit which remains in the vine growing to maturity, until it is time for the harvest. Abiding fruit is not just the ‘pregnancy’ or the ‘delivery’, but the ‘full maturity of the child conceived’ into becoming a useful member of society. For us—who are believers in Christ—abiding fruit is who we are in Christ, in sunshine and in rain, in poverty and in prosperity, in sickness and in health, in fair weather and in the storms, and, presently and till the end of our stay on earth. Abiding fruit is the result of the testing of our faith by fire—will your faith shine forth as purified gold or silver? Abiding fruit are the godly legacies that we leave behind after we have departed this world, and, that generations yet unborn will continue to be edified by—books, messages, testimonies, etc. Abiding fruit is also that person that you bring to Christ, whom you disciple, and who finally makes it into heaven!
All our works which we had done while here on earth (that is, our fruit—both internal and external) will be tested by the fire of God. If it endures or remains, it is abiding fruit and we shall be rewarded; but if it is consumed, we shall have no reward, but we shall nonetheless be saved. These works will include our words, our actions, our thoughts, our motives, and, whether or not we completed the things that we began to do—for example, did we follow up and disciple the souls that were saved through our ministry, and are they in heaven? Also, all the things that we did to dissuade and hinder people from following God, either by our words, actions, lifestyle, etc., will speak against us on the day of judgment; and if by such, people go to hell, then it is unlikely that you will go to heaven.
Henceforth, let us be careful what we say and do; for we are sowing seeds, and whatsoever a man sows that shall he reap—whether good or bad! That is why we have an opportunity tonight to talk to the Lord about our mistakes and return to Him; while at the same time, make restitution by seeking out those people we have led astray, as much as is possible, and bring them back to Christ. Let us also realize that even though we have led someone to Christ, it is incumbent on us to also make him a disciple of Christ who is standing in the Lord and who will be in heaven!
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