| It is clear from our text that “the fruits of righteousness … are by Jesus Christ,” and by Him alone. He said, “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.” There must be continued fellowship with Him, if we bear “the fruit of the Spirit [which] is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.” And this delight in the Lord which brings fruitfulness in our lives comes from our delight in His Word. “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in His law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” For “blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh … neither shall cease from yielding fruit.” |
