Spiritual power & the discipleship connection (Conclusion)
Our Lord’s teaching on spiritual power & the discipleship connection is found in John 15:1-8. This passage can be rightly understood as a metaphor for the relationship between a disciple and his Lord. This is made very clear by the words that conclude the vine/branch conversation: “My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples” (John 15:8). Unlike the salvation relationship, the discipleship relationship can be lost: “If anyone doe
Spiritual power & the discipleship connection (Part Three)
The fruit of the Spirit represents who Jesus is. As believers walk in the Spirit, they bear the fruit that reflects Christ's character. John puts it this way, “The one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked” (1 John 2:6). This power is released as believers remain in a “discipleship relationship” with God, similar to a branch staying connected to a vine to produce fruit! In other words, it means that godly character is the result of
SPIRITUAL POWER! (Part Two)
The fruit of the Spirit is an exertion of His power! In other words, the virtues listed in Galatians 5:22-23 (love, joy, peace, patience, etc.) are not produced by human effort or willpower, but are the direct result of the Holy Spirit's active, transforming power working within a believer. It signifies that these characteristics are supernatural, reflecting God's own character rather than mere behavioral modification or self-help. The fruit is not a "to-do" list of moral imp
SPIRITUAL POWER!
What images and expectations come to mind concerning spiritual power? Spiritual power isn’t usually the miraculous or spectacular, but rather the consistent showing of the fruit of the Spirit in the believer’s life! Jesus alluded to this when He said, “He will glorify Me, for He will take from Mine and will disclose it to you” (John 16:14). Jesus explains that the Holy Spirit will bring Him glory by taking what is His (the fruit of the Spirit) and revealing it to the discipl
A Closer Look at the Fruit of the Spirit: Self-Control
From the heart of Dr. Robert L. Taylor, Th.D., Bible Teacher & Expositor. For the Christian, the ninth item Scripture lists as “the...
A Closer Look at the Fruit of the Spirit: Faithfulness
From the heart of Dr. Robert L. Taylor, Th.D., Bible Teacher & Expositor. For the Christian, the seventh item Scripture lists as “the...
A Closer Look at the Fruit of the Spirit: Goodness
From the heart of Dr. Robert L. Taylor, Th.D., Bible Teacher & Expositor. For the Christian, the sixth item Scripture lists as “the...
A Closer Look at the Fruit of the Spirit: Love
From the heart of Dr. Robert L. Taylor, Th.D., Bible Teacher & Expositor. In Galatians 5:22, love is the first fruit of the Spirit...
A Closer Look at the Fruit of the Spirit: Joy
From the heart of Dr. Robert L. Taylor, Th.D., Bible Teacher & Expositor. For the Christian, the second item Scripture lists as “the...
A Closer Look at the Fruit of the Spirit: Gentleness
From the heart of Dr. Robert L. Taylor, Th.D., Bible Teacher & Expositor. For the Christian, the eighth item Scripture lists as “the...
