Commentaries:
Does it not follow that, if Christ is really living in us, we will produce fruit? Sanctification is something that can be seen. It is not difficult to figure out whether a person has been sanctified or not—whether they are becoming holy. One can see the fruit being produced.
A tree does not hide its peaches, apples, or pears. They are clearly visible to those who look for them. Christ used this metaphor to teach us that we ought to be able to see the effects of Him living in us, of God's Holy Spirit in us. We should be able to recognize the results of using the Word of God and living by faith.
John W. Ritenbaugh
The Covenants, Grace and Law (Part 8)
He speaks directly to us, stating a principle we must learn to live with. The power to do spiritual works, to overcome, to produce the fruit of God's Spirit, to be used by God in any righteous manner comes from above. Israel's journey through the wilderness illustrates this. Every step of the way was physically empowered by the manna and water God provided.
Understanding God's hand in our preparation for the Kingdom of God is also advanced by remembering that we are the clay sculpture our Creator is molding and shaping (Isaiah 64:8). Does any work of art—any painting, carving, drawing, tapestry, work of literature, or fine meal for that matter—have inherent power to shape itself?
The natural man, even apart from God's purpose, is a magnificent work of art. David writes in Psalm 139:14, "I am fearfully and wonderfully made." Yet, when born into the Kingdom of God, we will be the most magnificent masterpieces there are, far superior to what we are now. To mold and shape us into God's image requires love, wisdom, and multiple other powers far beyond anything any person—even Jesus as a human being—has.
John W. Ritenbaugh
Power Belongs to God (Part Two)
Jesus Christ is our Mediator (I Timothy 2:5), the connection, the bridge, between God and us. Spiritual enablement flows from God through Him to us. God's power and God's faithfulness are the issues that are of supreme importance to us in these critical times. Are we constantly cognizant of the fact that our salvation lies in His hands? He has the power to save.
Notice how David expressed this in a psalm written during a time of serious trouble for him: "For look, they lie in wait for my life; the mighty gather against me, not for my transgression nor for my sin, O LORD" (Psalm 59:3). David feared the threat of murder in a situation in which he was innocent. Verses 9-10 carry his thoughts further: "I will wait for You, O You his Strength; for God is my defense. My God of mercy shall come to meet me; God shall let me see my desire on my enemies." Here, David's confidence rises because he believes in God's awareness and strength—which is strong enough to put down nations, let alone a small band of enemies. He also recalls God's mercy toward those who serve Him.
Verses 16-17 show that his thoughts extend one step further: "But I will sing of Your power; yes, I will sing aloud of Your mercy in the morning; for You have been my defense and refuge in the day of my trouble. To You, O my Strength, I will sing praises; for God is my defense, the God of my mercy." These final two verses summarize why he trusts God, and conclude in a strong affirmation of David's faith. He trusts God because of the combination of God's strengths, His power, combined with His mercy and His will to use them in behalf of those who trust Him.
John W. Ritenbaugh
Power Belongs to God (Part One)
Christ came to this earth as THE BRANCH and fulfilled all righteousness, qualifying to replace Satan and rule as King over all the earth. He proved His worthiness by remaining in full accord with His heavenly Father, and bearing the spiritual fruit that makes redemption and salvation possible.
Likewise, we—whether natural or grafted in (Romans 11:17-24)—are also branches attached to the solid trunk of the tree, Christ. It is only by our abiding in Him—our attachment to Him—our close relationship with Him—that we produce any growth or godly works. As Paul writes in Romans 11:16, "If the root is holy, so are the branches." Our righteousness, works, and holiness come to us only because of our connection to Him.
Jesus says that God, in love, prunes us, chastens us, tries us, so that we become more profitable (see also Hebrews 12:3-11). He will do what He must to make us yield. But if we resist and eventually sever our connection with Him, we are fit only to be burned. God has no use for dead wood.
God wants us to use this connection to His Son to "bear much fruit," just as Jesus Christ did. Doing so proves to Him, to ourselves, and to everyone else that we are true Christians, disciples of His Son, the Branch. By this, we will glorify God and secure our place in His Kingdom.
Richard T. Ritenbaugh
The Branch
Once begotten by the Holy Spirit from the Father, we must continually be led by it, bearing spiritual fruit throughout our lives. If we are producing the fruit of the Spirit, which exhibit a sound mind, we know it is working in us. The Spirit is the mind and essence of the divine nature, and through it God carries out His will. It empowers the mind to comprehend spiritual matters, producing conversion. It gives us the strength, will and faith to overcome our sins.
Martin G. Collins
The Holy Spirit
Related Topics:
Other commentary entries containing this verse:
Deuteronomy 8:2-3
Psalms 62:11-12
Jeremiah 29:5
Hosea 14:6-7
Matthew 5:10-12
Matthew 7:13-14
Matthew 8:4
Matthew 13:7-8
Matthew 13:22-23
Mark 4:18-20
Luke 8:14-15
Luke 13:7
Luke 13:9
Luke 18:9-14
John 6:32-35
Romans 11:11-14
Ephesians 4:13
1 Timothy 2:3-4
1 John 2:24
Library resources that contain this verse:
Articles |  |
Are Some Sins Worse Than Others? |
Ask and It Will Be Given |
Be There! |
Christ, Our Passover |
Eating: How Good It Is! (Part Four) |
Eating: How Good It Is! (Part Four) |
Power Belongs to God (Part One) |
Power Belongs to God (Part One) |
Power Belongs to God (Part Two) (2) |
Praying Always (Part Five) |
Praying Always (Part Four) |
Praying Always (Part Three) |
Preparing for the Feast |
The Beatitudes, Part 8: Blessed Are the Persecuted |
The Beatitudes, Part Two: Poor in Spirit |
The Branch |
The Garden of God |
The Gift of a Leper |
The Sovereignty of God and Human Responsibility: Part Eleven |
The Sovereignty of God: Part Eight |
What is Your Bowl of Lentil Stew? |
What's Going On Up There? |
Will You Marry Me? (Part One) |
Bible Studies | |
A New Beginning! |
Biblical Symbolism: More 'Church' Symbols |
In Training for Rulership |
Parable of the Barren Fig Tree |
Parables of Matthew 13 (Part Two): The Parable of the Sower |
The Holy Spirit |
The Plain Truth About God's Holy Sabbath |
Why You Need the Holy Spirit |
Booklets | |
For the Perfecting of the Saints |
Just What Do You Mean . . . Conversion? |
Just What Is . . . the Church? |
Sermon Transcripts | |
Christ Our Passover |
Christ Our Standard |
Deuteronomy (Part 6) |
Don't Leave the House! |
Don't Stand Still! |
Endeavoring to Keep the Unity |
Ensuring Our Calling |
Ensuring Our Calling |
Faith and the Christian Fight (Part 10) |
Faith Overcomes the World |
Forms vs. Spirituality (Part 6) |
Forms vs. Spirituality (Part 6) |
Freedom and Unleavened Bread |
God's Creation and Our Works (2) |
God's Workmanship (Part 2) |
Hebrews, Love, and the Ephesian Church |
How to Survive Exile (2) |
Keeping Love Alive (Part 1) (2) |
Knowing God: Formality and Customs (Part 7) |
Power Belongs to God (Part 1) |
Principled Living (Part 3): Growing in Righteousness |
Principled Living (Part 4): Giving of Ourselves |
Producing Fruit |
Sovereignty, Election, and Grace (Part 6) |
Sovereignty, Election, and Grace (Part 7) (3) |
Spirituality and True Conversion |
Testing Spiritual Character |
The Christian and the World (Part 8) |
The Covenants, Grace and Law (Part 8) (2) |
The Sovereignty of God (Part 12) |
What Is the Work of God Now? (Part 5) |
What Is the Work of God Now? (Part 5) |
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