The works of the flesh vs. fruit of the Spirit.
I love that wording, because the flesh is "works" it's something we do. The fruit is something God does through us. So anything we do on our own, no matter how good we think it is, is a work of the flesh. It's when we stay in step with the Spirit that we bear fruit. We don't create nor produce the fruit, it's produced within us through the Spirit.
It's such a cool concept.
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 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. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 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. 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."
John 15:1-5
The comparison that Paul uses coincides with Jesus when talking about being the true vine. It's such a humbling reality.
Another passage that comes to my mind often is also humbling. I love reading what Paul has to say about the remanent of Israel in Romans 11. When he compares the Gentiles and Jews my favorite part is this:
For just as you were at one time disobedient to God but now have received mercy because of their disobedience, so they too have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they also may now receive mercy. For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all.
Romans 11:30-32
I love that line, because Paul is telling the Gentiles (aka nowadays would be me and the majority of Christians in the world) that it wasn't because we were so great that Jesus came, but because of Israel's disobedience. So basically, we are shown mercy off of another groups failure. I don't know about you but I find this as rather insulting to us as arrogant Christians. lol Pardon the illustration, but we are basically the rebound relationship after God broke up with Israel. He let us in and showed us mercy just to make Israel jealous. (read verse 11) I'm not saying this in disdain towards God, but in disdain to us, we think we're so special and we aren't. (aka, the "elected" that is) When I read that I laughed because it was a humbling reality, that Christianity is not about me, it's about God. Let me quote Paul again to make it even more clear, just because we "love Jesus" does not mean we are excluded from the same consequences as Israel has undergone if we live in arrogance. . .
"Do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you. Then you will say, 'Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.' That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you."
Romans 11:19-21
Keep in mind this truth. Christianity is not about you. It's about God's mercy. It's not about our little worlds, it's about God's bigger plan and I am amazed and thankful to be acknowledged into His plan. None of us deserve this. Let's take the time to stand in awe of God's awesome and mysterious ways shall we?
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