Another look at John 10.

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

Cameron143

Well-known member
Mar 1, 2022
19,322
6,647
113
62
#61
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me. :)

For it is God who works in me both to will and to do His good pleasure.
What? It's been God all along? Imagine that.
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
60,334
29,582
113
#62
What? It's been God all along? Imagine that.
I know! Scripture EXPLICITLY says it is not by the desire or effort of man. Still, so many deny it.


1 Corinthians 4:7b; John 3:27; Romans 9:15-16 What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did also receive it, why do you boast as not having received it? John replied, "A man can receive only that which is given him from heaven." "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion." So then, it does not depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy.
 

2ndTimeIsTheCharm

Well-known member
Feb 17, 2023
1,933
1,121
113
#63
That's not what self-control means. It means I control my actions and behavior according to the word of God and the witness of the spirit

The Holy Spirit DOES cause you to have self-control though. Notice if you submit to the Holy Spirit that it's easier to have self-control than before you were saved? That's the fruit of the Holy Spirit.


🧇
 
Nov 1, 2024
771
204
43
#64
Who produces the fruit of the Spirit? You or the Spirit?
The fruit of the spirit is produced by obeying the spirit and the word. So by heeding the word of God and the witness of the spirit one learns to exercise self control in order to conform to God's will
 

Cameron143

Well-known member
Mar 1, 2022
19,322
6,647
113
62
#65
The fruit of the spirit is produced by obeying the spirit and the word. So by heeding the word of God and the witness of the spirit one learns to exercise self control in order to conform to God's will
So the Holy Spirit isn't sovereign? He can only help if you are obeying? Doesn't He chasten you if you don't obey? Did you decide this as well?
 

Cameron143

Well-known member
Mar 1, 2022
19,322
6,647
113
62
#69
Both, as we cooperate with God/His Spirit/Word.
This is incorrect. It is the fruit of the Spirit. He alone produces it. If we could produce acceptable fruit, what need have we to be part of a vine?
 
Nov 1, 2024
771
204
43
#73
This is incorrect. It is the fruit of the Spirit. He alone produces it. If we could produce acceptable fruit, what need have we to be part of a vine?
Does a plant produce fruit of itself? Indeed it does when the garden is kept free of weeds

And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow; Matthew 13:3

And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. Matthew 13:7-9
 

Cameron143

Well-known member
Mar 1, 2022
19,322
6,647
113
62
#74
Does a plant produce fruit of itself? Indeed it does when the garden is kept free of weeds

And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow; Matthew 13:3

And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. Matthew 13:7-9
Paul planted, Apollos watered. God gave the increase.
 

Cameron143

Well-known member
Mar 1, 2022
19,322
6,647
113
62
#79
No it's not. The increase wouldn't have happened without God's nourishment, so God gave the plants the ability to produce fruit
The branches have no independent means of bearing fruit. The ability isn't bestowed upon the branch. The vine works through the branch to produce the fruit.
We are to bear fruit, not produce it. This is what abiding is all about. And the way we know we are abiding is that the life of the vine is producing fruit on our branches. Those branches not bearing fruit are cut off, and those which do are, are pruned to increase the harvest.
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
60,334
29,582
113
#80
Paul planted, Apollos watered. God gave the increase.

1 Corinthians 3:6-7 I planted the seed and Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God Who makes things grow.
:)