You can do nothing.

Want to bear genuine Christian fruit? Simply abide in Christ—the True Vine. “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing” (John 15:5).

Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote:

“How does the branch bear fruit? Not by incessant effort for sunshine and air; not by vain struggles for those vivifying influences which give beauty to the blossom, and verdure to the leaf: it simply abides in the vine, in silent undisturbed union, and blossoms and fruit will appear as of spontaneous growth.

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How, then, shall a Christian bear fruit? By efforts and struggles to obtain that which is freely given; by meditations and watchfulness, on prayer, on action, on temptations, and on dangers? No. There must be full concentration of the thoughts and affections on Christ; a complete surrender of the whole being to Him; a constant looking to Him for grace.

Christians in whom these dispositions are once firmly fixed go on calmly as the infant borne in the arms of its mother. In spiritual as in temporal matters they take no thought for the morrow; for they know that Christ will be as accessible tomorrow as today. Their hope and trust rest solely on what He is willing and able to do for them; on nothing that they suppose themselves able and willing to do for Him. Such is the “exchanged life,” the abiding, fruitful life, the life that is Christ, which should be in possession of every believer.”

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2 Responses to “You can do nothing.”

  1. Don Says:

    Forrest,

    This was a good reminder of allowing Christ to become all to us. When we seek to have the mind of Christ, nothing else in life is as fulfilling. The unity and bond that the Church should have, only comes through abiding in Christ. I pray that the Church will seek to have this unity only through Christ,

    In our prayers,
    Don D.
    Col 3:14



  2. Forrest Wychopen Says:

    That is so very true. Genuine unity is only experienced in Christ…far beyond initial salvation, but throughout our walk with Him. Being mature enough spiritually to value and appreciate our differences and not pulling out the “every body should be like I am” hammer is a rarity in the body of Christ today. Jesus is the Head of the Church and we (including the Pastor/Elders) are simply His body and His servants. I too pray that Jesus Christ will truly be preeminent in all things and in all of our lives so we can rest in and rejoice in genuine unity! His love. His holiness. His kindness. His grace. His truth. I say proclaim the fullness of God which is in the person of Jesus Christ and let the Holy Spirit be the Holy Spirit. Trust the Good Shepherd to guide and direct our lives.

    “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen” (2 Peter 3:18).