Not Living By Our Own Efforts (TMF:1678)

Wednesday, August 18, 2021
Peace to Live By: Not Living By Our Own Efforts (TMF:1678) - Daniel Litton
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       We aren’t supposed to live by our own efforts in keeping a certain set of rules. Jesus said, “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” (John 15:4, ESV). You see, a branch cannot bear fruit by trying to bear that fruit itself. It just can’t do it no matter what. It doesn’t have the capacity in and of itself. It is by the branch’s connection to the vine that it can grow and bear fruit. In the same way, it is by our own, personal connections with the Spirit of Jesus that we our in fellowship with him and actually bear fruit. "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all” (John 6:63, ESV). The branch doesn’t make a list of rules and regulations in order to bear its fruit. It depends on the nourishment from the vine.