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Genuine Fruit Bearing, May 7
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
.
Said Christ, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.” “I
am the vine, ye are the branches.” “Every branch in me that beareth not
fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that
it may bring forth more fruit” (
John 15:1, 5, 2
). That unpruned branch may
have looked good to human eyes but the eye of One who never slumbers
nor sleeps leaves it not alone to die of discouragement. The Husbandman
pruneth it, that it may produce fruit unto life eternal....
Whenever professed Christians are constantly flaunting their leaves of
profession before the eyes of others, there is no real fruit to the glory of God.
Their religious life and experience seem satisfactory to themselves. They
have exaggerated emotions, effusive expressions of fervor, and highest
exaltations. Their religion consists largely in feeling and excitement. There
is very little in their own souls that corresponds to their profession of faith.
Self is their ideal of perfection. They value more the outward impression
they make upon others than the inner life which is hidden with Christ in
God.
Let everyone who would reveal Christ by being a doer of His Word,
become rooted in Christ Jesus, rooted and grounded in the truth. Put away
all self-assertion. Let living and acting the lessons of Christ Jesus speak of
your perfect obedience to Jesus Christ....
The formation of the character must go on day by day, hour by hour. The
inward working of the Holy Spirit is revealed outwardly in the appearance
of fruit, ripening and perfecting to the glory of God. The inward life speaks
in the outward action, in the producing of rich fruit. This is showing forth
the praises of Him who hath called them out of darkness into His marvelous
light. If the Lord Jesus is formed within, the hope of glory, the life will
be rich in good works, corresponding with the truth which they profess to
believe
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Manuscript 62, 1896
.
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