MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:
May 14, 2025
The Fruit of the Holy Spirit (Last Part)
This concludes, but by no means exhausts the “exceeding abundance” of glorious spiritual light of truth embodied in this subject.
When spiritually discerned and thusly studied and personally appropriated, it cannot but glorify and magnify Jesus Christ, the Living Vine from whose “branches”— His true and faithful followers who are vitally, not superficially connected to Him, bear or manifest His character attributes, termed “fruits.”
This is the “word of their testimony” that they have “presented their bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is a reasonable service” (Rom. 12:1). Though still finite and mortal in nature with yet corruptible physical bodies, they willingly, intellectually, spiritually, and literally have consecrated their bodies to become full-time, sanctified TEMPLES where God in Christ through the Holy Spirit dwells on earth. See 1 Cor. 3: 16, 17; 6: 19, 20.
They unquestioningly and faithfully follow this specific divine instructions: “Having therefore these promises, let us cleanse ourselves of all filthiness of flesh and the spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” (2 Cor. 7:1).
Carefully read for yourselves the whole chapter of John 15. Here, in simplicity, accuracy, and purify, where bearing His fruits are concerned, “Without Me ye can do nothing.” In short, “By their fruits ye shall know them.” By the “fruits” we bear in our lives and character we unconsciously reveal “to the world, men, and angels” whether Jesus through the Holy Spirit, truly abides/dwells in us “in spirit and in truth.”
God’s servant-messenger wrote and I quote (all emphasis and bracketed words mine):
“‘I am the Vine, ye are the branches. Can we conceive of a MORE INTIMATE RELATION to Jesus than this? The fibers of end branch are almost identical with those of the vine. The communication of life, strength, and FRUITFULNESS from the trunk to the branches is UNOBSTRUCTED AND CONSTANT. The root sends its nourishment through the branch .
“Such is the TRUE BELIEVER’S RELATION TO CHRIST. He abides IN Christ, and draws his NOURISHMENT from Him. This spiritual relation can be established ONLY by the exercise of personal faith. [‘salvation is individual; not corporate or institutional]. This faith must express on our part SUPREME PREFERENCE, PERFECT RELIANCE, ENTIRE CONSECRATION [of the mind, heart, body, soul, and spirit.].
“Our WILL must be wholly yielded fo the divine will, our FEELINGS, DESIRES, INTERESTS, and HONOR, identified with the prosperity of Christ’s kingdom and the honor of His cause, we constantly receiving grace from Him, and Christ accepting gratitude from us. . . .
“If was when Christ was about to take leave of His disciples [and ascend to the Father] that He have them the beautiful emblem of His relation to believers [Vine-branch]. A union with Christ by living faith is enduring [as in the ‘patience of the saints.” ]. Every other union must PERISH. The true believer chooses Christ as FIRST AND LAST, and BEST in everything.”
E. G. White, My Life Today (devotional), p. 11).
To be continued, God willing. Bless all, NMF.