There are two ways to be fooled. One is to believe what isn’t true; the other is to refuse to believe what is true. —Soren Kierkegaard. "…truth is true even if nobody believes it, and falsehood is false even if everybody believes it. That is why truth does not yield to opinion, fashion, numbers, office, or sincerity–it is simply true and that is the end of it" – Os Guinness, Time for Truth, pg.39. “He that takes truth for his guide, and duty for his end, may safely trust to God’s providence to lead him aright.” – Blaise Pascal. "There is but one straight course, and that is to seek truth and pursue it steadily" – George Washington letter to Edmund Randolph — 1795. We live in a “post-truth” world. According to the dictionary, “post-truth” means, “relating to or denoting circumstances in which objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal belief.” Simply put, we now live in a culture that seems to value experience and emotion more than truth. Truth will never go away no matter how hard one might wish. Going beyond the MSM idealogical opinion/bias and their low information tabloid reality show news with a distractional superficial focus on entertainment, sensationalism, emotionalism and activist reporting – this blogs goal is to, in some small way, put a plug in the broken dam of truth and save as many as possible from the consequences—temporal and eternal. "The further a society drifts from truth, the more it will hate those who speak it." – George Orwell “There are two ways to be fooled. One is to believe what isn’t true; the other is to refuse to believe what is true.” ― Soren Kierkegaard
. . . yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.Read More
“Justified” means “counted righteous” or “declared righteous” by God. If people were sinless and perfectly obeyed all of God’s perfect moral standards, they could be justified or “declared righteous” on the basis of their own merits. But Paul says that this is impossible for any Gentile or even for any Jew to do (cf. Romans 1–2). we know that a person is not justified by works of the law. Paul saw that Christ had taught justification by faith, and so he called God the one “who justifies the ungodly” (Rom. 4:5). Paul will soon show that this view was taught even in the OT (see Gal. 3:6–18), though it was not the view of most of first-century Judaism. (For example, a 1st-century-B.C. Jewish writing states, “The one who does righteousness stores up life for himself with the Lord, and the one who does wickedness is the cause of the destruction of his own soul” [Psalms of Solomon 9.5]). In Gal. 2:16, “works of the law” means not only circumcision, food laws, and Sabbath, but any human effort to be justified by God by obeying a moral law.
faith in Jesus Christ. Some contend that the Greek means the “faithfulness of Jesus Christ.” But “faith in Jesus Christ” seems much more likely since “faith in Jesus Christ” is synonymous with the next phrase, “we also have believed in Christ Jesus.” “But through faith in Jesus Christ” is the opposite of depending on one’s own good deeds for justification, since justification comes through faith in Christ alone. We also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ implies that justification is the result of saving faith. The contrast and not by works of the law shows clearly that no human effort or merit can be added to faith as a basis for justification. (This verse was frequently appealed to in the Reformation by Protestants who insisted on “justification by faith alone” as opposed to the Roman Catholic doctrine of justification by faith plus merit gained through the “means of grace” administered by means of the Roman Catholic sacraments such as penance and the Mass.) Paul concludes decisively: by works of the law no one will be justified (Gal. 3:10–14; Acts 13:39; Heb. 10:1–14).
2. Romans 5:1–2
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.Read More
Therefore, since we have been justified. Romans 5 begins with a ringing affirmation of the objective legal standing of the Christian—that the Christian, through faith in Christ, has been justified and declared righteous by God, once for all. The result of this is that the Christian no longer lives under the fear of judgment and the wrath of God but has peace with God, which is not merely a subjective feeling but an objective reality.
The grace in which we stand refers to the secure position of the believer’s standing (as a blessing of justification), and the hope of the glory of God refers to the promise that Christians will be glorified and perfected at the last day—a hope that results in joy.
3. 2 Corinthians 5:21
For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.Read More
This verse is one of the most important in all of Scripture for understanding the meaning of the atonement and justification. Here we see that the one who knew no sin is Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 5:20) and that he (God) made him (Christ) to be sin (Gk. hamartia, “sin”). This means that God the Father made Christ to be regarded and treated as “sin” even though Christ himself never sinned (Heb. 4:15; cf. Gal. 3:13). Further, we see that God did this for our sake—that is, God regarded and treated “our” sin (the sin of all who would believe in Christ) as if our sin belonged not to us but to Christ himself. Thus Christ “died for all” (2 Cor. 5:14) and, as Peter wrote, “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree” (1 Pet. 2:24). In becoming sin “for our sake,” Christ became our substitute—that is, Christ took our sin upon himself and, as our substitute, thereby bore the wrath of God (the punishment that we deserve) in our place (“for our sake”). Thus the technical term for this foundational doctrine of the Christian faith is the substitutionary atonement—that Christ has provided the atoning sacrifice as “our” substitute, for the sins of all who believe (cf. Rom. 3:23–25).
The background for this is Isaiah 53 from the Greek (Septuagint) translation of the Hebrew OT, which includes the most lengthy and detailed OT prophecy of Christ’s death and which contains numerous parallels to 2 Cor. 5:21. Isaiah’s prophecy specifically uses the Greek word for “sin” (Gk. hamartia) five times (as indicated below in italics) with reference to the coming Savior (the suffering servant) in just a few verses—e.g., “surely he has born our griefs” (Isa. 53:4); “He was crushed for our iniquities” (Isa. 53:5); “the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Isa. 53:6); “he shall bear their iniquities” (Isa. 53:11); “he bore the sin of many” (Isa. 53:12). In a precise fulfillment of this prophecy, Christ became “sin” for those who believe in him, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. This means that just as God imputed our sin and guilt to Christ (“he made him to be sin”) so God also imputes the righteousness of Christ—a righteousness that is not our own—to all who believe in Christ. Because Christ bore the sins of those who believe, God regards and treats believers as having the legal status of “righteousness” (Gk. dikaiosynē).
This righteousness belongs to believers because they are “in him,” that is, “in Christ” (e.g., Rom. 3:22; 5:18; 1 Cor. 1:30; 2 Cor. 5:17, 19; Phil. 3:9). Therefore “the righteousness of God” (which is imputed to believers) is also the righteousness of Christ—that is, the righteousness and the legal status that belongs to Christ as a result of Christ having lived as one who “knew no sin.” This then is the heart of the doctrine of justification: God regards (or counts) believers as forgiven and God declares and treats them as forgiven, because God the Father has imputed the believer’s sin to Christ and because God the Father likewise imputes Christ’s righteousness to the believer. (See further notes on Rom. 4:6–8; Rom. 5:18; Rom. 10:3; Rom. 10:6–8; see also Isa. 53:11: “the righteous one, my servant, [shall] make many to be accounted righteous”).
4. Habakkuk 2:2–4
And the LORD answered me:
“Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.”
“Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him, but the righteous shall live by his faith.Read More
his soul. The singular form refers to the Babylonian nation as a whole, but with a primary reference to the king. A proud person relies on himself, whereas a righteous person relies on God. While the phrase “his soul is puffed up” refers primarily to Babylon in this context, it could include anyone who is proud. It will take faith to wait patiently for God’s plan to unfold, but the righteous believe that God will accomplish it. The phrase but the righteous shall live by his faith is quoted in the NT to emphasize that people are saved by grace through faith (Rom. 1:17; Gal. 3:11; cf. Eph. 2:8) and that Christians should live by faith (Heb. 10:38–39). The kind of faith that Habakkuk describes, and that the NT authors promote, is continuing trust in God and clinging to God’s promises, even in the darkest days.
5. Galatians 3:11–14
Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.” But the law is not of faith, rather “The one who does them shall live by them.” Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”—so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.Read More
The OT itself points out that righteousness cannot be achieved through the law, as Hab. 2:4 illustrates. Paul uses Lev. 18:5 to show that the law is not of faith. It is likely that Paul means the same thing here that he meant in Rom. 10:5, where Lev. 18:5 is equated with “the righteousness that is based on the law” (cf. Phil. 3:9) in contrast to the “righteousness based on faith” (Rom. 10:6). Some interpreters argue that the one who does them shall live by them (cf. Lev. 18:5) in its original context had to do with the temporal blessing and fullness of life that would come to the one who “does” the law. But it also seems to be a conditional promise within the law indicating that obedience would lead to righteousness (cf. Deut. 6:25); this promise, however, remains unfulfilled because it relies on the fulfilling of a condition that could never happen: i.e., it relies on a human “doing of the law” in a complete and sufficient way.
Others argue the original context of Lev. 18:5 mainly concerns the means of enjoying life under God’s pleasure by keeping God’s statutes and rules. Because some think the meaning of Lev. 18:5 in the original context is incompatible with the negative way in which Paul is using the verse here, they believe Paul is citing it as a misused slogan of the Judaizers. It seems better, however, to understand Paul as reading Lev. 18:5 typologically—that is, as seeing life in the land of Israel as a typological reference to eternal life. In the Mosaic covenant, salvation was through faith in God’s promise and his atonement, culminating in the Messiah. But now that the new covenant has come, those who insist on the entrance requirements of the old covenant do not have the benefit of sacrifices, so they must “do” all that the Mosaic law requires in order to “live” eternally (cf. Gal. 5:3).
The divine curse is the result of disobedience (Gal. 3:10). But the burden of the curse has been lifted by Christ’s work on the cross. Paul talked in Gal. 2:20 of Christ’s death for him personally; now he focuses on Christ’s substitutionary work for others.
Christ hanging on a tree (Gal. 3:13) not only brought blessing to Israel but took place so that . . . the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles. The coming of the Spirit in new power is one of the central benefits of the new age brought in by Christ (see Isa. 44:3). Believers not only have forgiveness of sins, but also the living presence of God with them. Paul explains more of what it means to have the gift of the Spirit in Galatians 5 and 6.
6. Romans 5:8–10
. . . but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.Read More
On rare occasions, even a human being will die for a righteous (morally upright) person or for a good person (one who has done much good). God’s love, however, belongs in an entirely different category from human love, for Christ did not die for righteous people or those who have done good for others but for sinners, that is, for ungodly, unrighteous people living in willful rebellion against God. It is not just Christ’s love that was shown in his death but also God the Father’s love. While God’s righteousness and justice led to his plan of salvation through the death of Christ (Rom. 3:25–26), it was his love that motivated this plan.
7. James 2:23–26
. . . and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.Read More
Abraham . . . justified by works. On the surface James may seem to contradict Paul. I.e., Paul denies that Abraham was “justified by works” (Rom. 4:2), arguing from Gen. 15:6 that Abraham’s faith “was counted to him as righteousness” (Rom. 4:3). However, James’s assertion in this verse (that “Abraham [was] . . . justified by works”) is based not on Gen. 15:6 but on Gen. 22:9–10, where (many years later) Abraham began to offer Isaac as a sacrifice. Thus James apparently has a different sense of the word “justify” in view here, as evidenced by the different Scripture passages, and the different events in Abraham’s life, to which James and Paul refer. The primary way in which Paul uses the word “justify” (Gk. dikaioō) emphasizes the sense of being declared righteous by God through faith, on the basis of Jesus’ atoning sacrifice (Rom. 3:24–26), whereas the primary way that James uses the word “justify” (Gk. dikaioō) here in James 2:21 seems to emphasize the way in which works demonstrate that someone has been justified, as evidenced by the good works that the person does (cf. Matt. 12:33–37). Some others hold a similar view, which understands “justify” (Gk. dikaioō) here to mean to declare someone to be righteous because, at the final judgment, the person’s works give evidence of true saving faith.
James uses Gen. 15:6 in a way that complements rather than contradicts Paul (Rom. 4:1–9; Gal. 3:6), for he sees it as having been fulfilled (see James 2:22) in Abraham’s offering of Isaac (Genesis 22). James centers on Abraham’s act of obedience while Paul centers on God’s declaration of Abraham’s righteousness. Abraham was called a friend of God, in contrast to those who have no acts of obedience to prove their claims to faith and are therefore seen to be friends of this world (James 4:4).
not by faith alone. James again seems at first to contradict Paul’s teaching that one is justified by faith alone (Rom. 3:28), but the two are compatible. For James, “faith alone” means a bogus kind of faith, mere intellectual agreement without a genuine personal trust in Christ that bears fruit in one’s life. justified1. James, in agreement with Paul, argues that true faith is never alone, that it always produces works (cf. Eph. 2:10).
8. Titus 3:5–7
. . . he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.Read More
The transformation described in vv. 3–7 (formerly . . . but now) is not based on human effort. “We . . . were once enslaved” (v. 3) but he saved us. God must act before salvation occurs. Salvation comes not because of works but by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit. Some have understood this as saying that baptism (“the washing”) causes salvation. However, in this context human deeds are clearly downplayed (“not because of works”) and the emphasis is on divine action and initiative (“he saved us”). The “washing” described here is the spiritual cleansing, which is outwardly symbolized in baptism.
9. Luke 7:48–50
And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”Read More
Your sins are forgiven (Luke 5:20). As in Luke 5:20–25, Jesus’ statement is understood as exercising the divine prerogative of forgiving sins and is followed by a similar question: Who is this, who even forgives sins? Luke intentionally raises this question for his readers to reflect on the significance and implications of who Jesus is.
Your faith has saved you. Cf. Luke 8:48; Luke 17:19; Luke 18:42. The woman experienced the forgiveness of her sins not because of love but through faith, which was evidenced in the way she honored Jesus in her act of washing his feet.
10. Romans 3:21–28
But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it—the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.* Read More
The righteousness of God has been manifested now, i.e., in the period of salvation history inaugurated through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. On the righteousness of God,. Here in Rom. 3 it refers to the morally right character of God that is clearly shown in his saving action by which human beings may stand in the right before God as the divine judge. This righteousness has been revealed apart from the law, which means that it is not based on human obedience to the works of the law. Paul may also intend to say it is not based on the Sinai covenant. Even though God’s saving righteousness is apart from the law, the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it. In other words, the OT Scriptures prophesied this very way of salvation (Rom. 1:2).
This right standing with God is available to all who believe, whether Jew or Gentile.
No one can stake a claim to this righteousness based on his or her own obedience, for all people have sinned and fall short of what God demands (see Rom. 1:21).
Therefore, all are justified (declared not guilty but righteous by the divine Judge) only by God’s grace (unmerited favor). The word redemption reaches back to the OT exodus and the blood of the Passover lamb (see Exodus 12–15), by which the Lord liberated Israel from Egypt; the exodus likewise points forward to the greater redemption Jesus won for his people through his blood by forgiving them their sins through his death on the cross (cf. Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:14).
Jesus’ blood “propitiated” or satisfied God’s wrath (1:18), so that his holiness was not compromised in forgiving sinners. Some scholars have argued that the word propitiation should be translated expiation (the wiping away of sin), but the word cannot be restricted to the wiping away of sins as it also refers to the satisfaction or appeasement of God’s wrath, turning it to favor (cf. note on John 18:11). God’s righteous anger needed to be appeased before sin could be forgiven, and God in his love sent his Son (who offered himself willingly) to satisfy God’s holy anger against sin. In this way God demonstrated his righteousness, which here refers particularly to his holiness and justice. God’s justice was called into question because in his patience he had overlooked former sins. In other words, how could God as the utterly Holy One tolerate human sin without inflicting full punishment on human beings immediately? Paul’s answer is that God looked forward to the cross of Christ where the full payment for the guilt of sin would be made, where Christ would die in the place of sinners. In the OT, propitiation (or the complete satisfaction of the wrath of God) is symbolically foreshadowed in several incidents: e.g., Ex. 32:11–14; Num. 25:8, 11; Josh. 7:25–26.
Paul repeats again, because of its supreme importance, that God has demonstrated his righteousness, i.e., his holiness and justice, at the present time in salvation history. In the cross of Christ, God has shown himself to be just (utterly holy, so that the penalty demanded by the law is not removed but paid for by Christ) but also the justifier (the one who provides the means of justification and who declares people to be in right standing with himself) and the Savior of all those who trust in Jesus. Here is the heart of the Christian faith, for at the cross God’s justice and love meet.
Since salvation is accomplished through Christ’s atoning death, all human boasting . . . is excluded. The word law in this verse probably means principle, though some think that a reference to the OT law is intended. If righteousness came through works, then human beings could brag about what they have done. But since salvation is through faith, no one can boast before God.
apart from. Justification is by faith alone and does not depend at all on doing any works of the law.
15:5 apart from me you can do nothing. The total inability of the unregenerate sinner makes saving grace absolutely necessary for the beginning, the development, and the completion of salvation.[1]
15:5the branches Refers to Jesus’ disciples, who depend on the true vine (Jesus) for all things, including life.
you are not able to do anything Jesus means that people cannot access God without Him, and consequently they cannot bear fruit. All life-giving things require access to the source of life, Jesus (John 14:6; 15:1).[2]
15:5Apart from me you can do nothing does not mean “nothing at all,” for unbelievers of course carry on their ordinary activities of life apart from Christ. Rather, it means “nothing of eternal value,” or an inability to produce spiritual fruit.[3]
15:5can do nothing: Apart from Christ, a believer cannot accomplish anything of permanent spiritual value.[4]
15:5 Christ Himself is the vine; believers are vine branches. It is not a question of the branch living its life for the Vine, but simply of letting the life of the Vine flow out through the branches. Sometimes we pray, “Lord, help me to live my life for You.” It would be better to pray, “Lord Jesus, live out Your life through me.” Without Christ, we can do nothing. A vine branch has one great purpose—to bear fruit. It is useless for making furniture or for building homes. It does not even make good firewood. But it is good for fruit-bearing—as long as it abides in the vine.[5]
15:5. Here we have the key verse of the passage, although it only expands what we have already learned on the first paragraph. Gromacki writes, “Christ identified Himself as the true Vine, the believers as the branches, and God the Father as the vine dresser (John 15:1, 5). The fruit of the vine is Christlikeness. Although the Holy Spirit is not called a vine, He is a producer of fruit. The analogy could refer to a grapevine or to a fruit-bearing tree” (Gromacki, p. 57).
Let us go back to the Galatians passage and see how this teaching of John 15 links closely to what Jesus has already said in John 14 about the Holy Spirit: “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other” (Gal. 5:24–26). In my view, John 15 is not a passage on evangelism and the fruit does not describe new believers. This passage probably deals with discipleship and fruit describes godly behavior.[6]
15:5 “he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit.” This is a PRESENT ACTIVE PARTICIPLE followed by a PRESENT ACTIVE INDICATIVE. The continual fellowship is the source of continual fruit. Fruit could refer to believers’ attitudes as well as actions (cf. Matt. 7:15–23 with Gal. 5:22–23 and 1 Cor. 13). Believers are promised effective service if they abide (cf. v. 16). See special topic on perseverance at 8:31.
5. I am the vine, you are the branches. First 15:1 is repeated: Jesus is the vine. Next, the thought already clearly implied in 15:2–4, is expressly stated, namely, “You are the branches.” A word is used for branch which literally means vine-branch or vine-twig (κλῆμα).
He who abides in me, with me abiding in him (literally, “He who abides in me, and I in him,” but this is hardly good English), he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
Note: more fruit (verse 2), much fruit (verses 5 and 8). The vitality of the vine, Jesus Christ, is stressed. This vine enables those who remain in him to produce fruit not only but much fruit. For the character of this fruit see on 15:1, 2.
On the other hand, those who are out of relation to Christ can do literally nothing, nothing whatever (οὐ … οὐδέν). That holds not only for the drunkard, the thief, the murderer, the immoral person, but also for the poet, the scientist, and the philosopher who has not embraced Christ with a living faith. He can render no work that is acceptable before God. Then why is it that some—even among those who like to pass as Christians and who seek the place of leadership in the church—are ever engaged in ascribing the highest possible honors to such “outsiders,” as if one could better afford to do without Paul than without Plato?
The passage certainly teaches the inability of man to do that which is good in the sight of God. It is entirely in line with Rom. 14:23, just as the preceding clause (“He who abides in me.… he it is that bears much fruit”) is entirely in line with Phil. 4:13.—Pelagianism and semi-Pelagianism of every description stands condemned here![8]
Ver. 5. I am the Vine, ye are the branches.—
The true branches of the True Vine:—No wise teacher is ever afraid of repeating himself. The average mind requires the reiteration of truth before it can make that truth its own. One coat of paint is not enough, it soon rubs off.
I. The fruitfulness of union. 1. “I am the Vine” was a general truth, with no clear personal application. “Ye are the branches” brought each individual listener into connection with it. How many people there are that listen in a fitful sort of languid way, interestedly, to the most glorious and solemn truths and never dream that they have any bearing upon themselves! The one thing most needed is that truth should be sharpened to a point and the conviction driven into you, that you have got something to do with this great message. “Ye are the branches” is the one side of that sharpening and making definite of the truth in its personal application, and the other side is “Thou art the man.” All religious teaching is toothless generalities, utterly useless, unless we can force it through the wall of indifference and vague assent. 2. Note next the great promise, “He that abideth in Me, and I in Him,” &c. Abiding in Christ, and Christ’s abiding in us means a temper and tone of mind very far remote from the noisy, bustling distractions too common in our present Christianity. We want quiet, patient, waiting within the veil. The best way to secure Christian conduct is to cultivate communion with Christ. Get more of the sap into the branch, and there will be more fruit. We may grow graces artificially and they will be of little worth. First of all be, and then do; receive, and then give forth. That is the Christian way of mending men, not tinkering at this, that, and the other individual excellence, but grasping the secret of total excellence in communion with Him. Our Lord is here not merely laying down a law, but giving a promise, and putting His veracity into pawn for the fulfilment of it. 3. Notice that little word which now appears for the first time: “much.” We are not to be content with a poor shrivelled bunch of grapes that are more like marbles than grapes, here and there, upon the half-nourished stem. God forbid that I should say that there is no possibility of union with Christ and a little fruit. A little union will have a little fruit; but the only two alternatives here are, “no fruit,” and “much fruit.” And I would ask why it is that the average Christian man of this generation bears only a berry or two here and there, like such as are left upon the vines after the vintage, when the promise is that if he will abide in Christ, he will bear much fruit. 4. This verse, setting forth the fruitfulness of union with Jesus, ends with the brief solemn statement of the converse—the barrenness of separation. There is the condemnation of all the busy life of men which is not lived in union with Jesus Christ; it is a long row of figures which, like some other long rows of figures added up, amount just to Zero. “Without Me, nothing.”
II. The withering and destruction of separation from Him (ver. 6). 1. Separation is withering. Did you ever see a hawthorn bough that children bring home from the woods, and stick in the grate; how in a day or two the fresh green leaves all shrivel up and the white blossoms become brown and smell foul, and the only thing to be done with it is to fling it into the fire and get rid of it? Separate from Christ, the individual shrivels, and the possibilities of fair buds wither and set into no fruit. And no man is the man he might have been unless he holds by Jesus Christ and lets His life come into Him. And as for individuals, so for communities. The Church or the body of professing Christians that is separate from Jesus Christ dies to all noble life, to all high activity, to all Christlike conduct, and, being dead, rots. 2. Withering means destruction. Look at the mysteriousness of the language. “They gather them.” “They cast them into the fire.” Who have that tragic task? The solemn fact that the withering of manhood by separation from Jesus Christ requires, and ends in, the consuming of the withered, is all that we have here. We have to speak of it pityingly, with reticence, with terror, with tenderness, with awe lest it be our fate. Be on your guard against that tendency of this generation, to paste a bit of blank paper over all the threatenings of the Bible. One of two things must befall the branch, either it is in the Vine or it gets into the fire. And if we would avoid the fire let us see to it that we are in the Vine.
III. The union with Christ as the condition of satisfied desires (ver. 7). Our Lord instead of saying, “I in you,” says “My words in you.” He is speaking about prayers, consequently the variation is natural. The abiding of His words in us is largely the means of His abiding in us. 1. What do we mean by this? Something a great deal more than the mere intellectual acceptance. Something very different from reading a verse in a morning, and forgetting all about it all the day long; something very different from coming in contact with Christian truth on a Sunday, when somebody else preaches what he has found in the Bible to us, and we take in a little of it. It means the whole of the conscious nature of a man. His desires, understanding, affections, will, all being steeped in those great truths which the Master spoke. Put a little bit of colouring matter into the fountain at its head and you will have the stream dyed down its course for ever so far. See that Christ’s words be lodged in your inmost selves, and all the life will be glorified and flash into richness of colouring and beauty by their presence. 2. The main effect of such abiding of the Lord’s words with us is, that in such a case, my desire will be granted. If Christ’s words are the substratum of your wishes, then your wishes will harmonize with His will, and so “Ye shall ask what ye will and it shall be done unto you.”
IV. This union and fruitfulness lead to the noble ends of glorifying God and increasing discipleship (ver. 8). 1. Christ’s life was all for the glorifying of God. The lives, which are the life of Christ in us, will have the same end and the same issue. We come there to a very sharp test. How many of us are there on whom men, looking, think more loftily of God. And yet we should all be mirrors of the Divine radiance, on which some eyes, that are too dim and sore to bear the light as it streams from the sun, may look, and, beholding the reflection, may learn to love. 2. And if thus we abide in Him and bear fruit we shall “become His disciples.” The end of our discipleship is never reached on earth; we never so much are, as we are in the process of becoming, His true followers and servants. If we bear fruit because we are knit to Him, the fruit itself will help us to get nearer Him, and so be more His disciples and more fruitful. Character produces conduct, but conduct reacts on character and strengthens the impulses from which it springs. (A. Maclaren, D.D.)
Growth from within:—This growing is to be the growth of a branch: not by accretion, by adding to the surface, but by strength and development from within. You may make a molehill into a mountain by bringing a sufficiency of material to it, to swell the rising pile; but trees and branches expand from within: their growth is the putting forth of a vital but unseen force. The life-power in the stock, being also in the bough, compels an outward exhibition of results in progressive keeping with the vigour and strength of the supplies. So the believer “grows up” into Christ into ever-increasing holiness, influence and grace through the Divine afflatus which is at work within his soul, for it is thus that “God worketh in you” more and more “to will and to do of His good pleasure.” By this inner power the branches of a tree have a wonderful power of assimilation. They take hold upon all surrounding forces and turn them to advantage. The dew that falls, the gases of the atmosphere, the descending rain, the chemistry of the sunlight, all are drawn into it; all are made a part of itself, are made to serve its purpose and to nurse its health. The very storms that blow, the alternations of weather that test and try it and ofttimes seem to work it damage, are all made to consolidate its fibres, to quicken the action of its sap, and send new energy through every vein, a stronger life-thrill into every leaf. So grows the righteous soul into higher, stronger, more mature religious life. “All things are yours,” says the apostle Paul. That is to say, all events, all experiences, all the providences of God, all the circumstances of life, as well as all the riches of promised grace, are made by the goodness and wisdom of God to serve the Christian’s interests and help his soul to grow. The dew of the Spirit, the sunshine of God, the aids of the sanctuary, the society of the good, the exercise of Christian toil, the business of life, the storms and tempests of sorrow and toil—all things, by reason of the subtle power of the inner life, are made to help the Christian, to deepen his piety, to strengthen his soul, to beautify his character, to mature and ripen his graces, and to give him a stronger grip upon his God. “All things work together for good to them that love God.” Neither is there any limit to the attainments possible to the godly soul. Under the influence of the Divine life it is placed amid an exhaustless store of nourishment, it is grafted into the Vine whose Root is the Godhead and whose resources are infinite and eternal. (J. J. Wray.)
Religion in diverse places:—I saw a vine growing on the fertile plain of Damascus with “boughs like the goodly cedars” (Psa. 80:10). One “bough” of that vine had appropriated a large forest tree; it had climbed the giant trunk, it had wound itself round the great gnarled arms, it had, in fact, covered every branch of the tree with garlands of its foliage, and bent down every twig with the weight of its fruit. And I saw another branch of the same vine spread out along the ground, and cover bushes and brambles with foliage as luxuriant and fruit as plentiful as those on the lordly forest tree. So is it in the Church. Some branches of that heaven-planted vine climb to the very pinnacles of human society. They appropriate and sanctify the sceptre of the monarch, the dignity of the peer, the power of the statesman, the genius of the philosopher, and they shed a lustre upon each and all greater and more enduring than can ever be conferred by gemmed coronet or laurel crown. While other branches of the same vine find a congenial sphere in humbler walks, they penetrate city lanes, they creep up wild mountain glens, they climb the gloomy stair to the garret where the daughter of toil lies on her death-bed, and they diffuse wherever they go a peace and a joy and a halo of spiritual glory, such as rank and riches cannot bestow, and such too as poverty and suffering cannot take away. Peer and peasant, philosopher and working man, king and beggar, have equal rights and rewards in the Church. They are united to the same Saviour on earth, and they shall recline on the same bosom in heaven. (J. L. Porter, LL.D.)
Variety of Christian growth:—There may be a hundred branches in a vine; their place in reference to each other may be far apart; they may seem to have but a very distant connection with each other; but having each a living union with the central stem, they are all members of the same Vine, and every one of them therefore is a member one of the other. Some of the branches are barely above the ground; some peer higher than all the rest; some are weighted with fruit, much fruit rich and fine; some bear but little fruit and that only small and inferior; some occupy important and central positions; some are seemingly insignificant, and look as though they might readily be dispensed with; as though, indeed, the tree would be healthier and more graceful without them; some are old and well grown, thoroughly strong and established; others are young, delicate, and need development. But whatever variety there may be among the branches in size, circumstance, or state, they all form a part of one complete, harmonious and like-natured whole. The vine-stem is the common centre, and in it all partake of a common life. (J. J. Wray.)
The Christian individuality:—The discoveries of vegetable physiology have shown that every branch is, in fact, a tree perfectly distinct and complete in itself: a tree which, by means of roots struck into the parent tree, derives its life, and sends out its leafage. The common idea is, that every tree in the ground has in itself the same kind of individual existence that a man has, and that, just as in the body limbs and various organs are component parts of a man, so the bole, the boughs, and the leaves are component parts of a tree. But the common idea is wrong; a tree is, in truth, a colony of trees, one growing on another—an aggregate of individuals—a body corporate, losing nothing, however, and merging nothing of its own individuality. It is charming to study a scientifically written biography of a tree, giving an account of its cells and pores and hairs, telling the tale of its evolution and its education; its infinite relations with all the elements, and how it is affected by the chemistries of nature; tracing it from its first faint filament to its full wealth of foliage and its final sweep of extension; thereby revealing through this miracle of the forest the glory of God. But, for the reasons suggested by some of the thoughts just confessed, interesting as is the story of a tree, a Christian will find the life-story of a mere branch scarcely less interesting, for it teaches him how to connect the ideas of total dependence and perfect individuality. I am a branch, yet I am a true tree—a tree growing on another tree—even on the Tree of Life. I see it all now, and also see the harmony between this particular Scripture and other Scriptures, better than formerly. It is scientifically true that I am a branch in the Vine, yet that I am a tree, answering to the description, “Rooted and built up in Him, and established in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.” (C. Stanford, D.D.)
The buds:—A Sunday-school teacher was trying to make his class understand this lesson. “Jesus is the Vine,” said he, “we are the branches; we get all our life and happiness from Him.” “Yes,” said a little fellow in the class, “Jesus is the Vine, grown up people are the branches, and we young ones are the buds.” In the natural vine the buds do not bear any fruit. But in Jesus, the Spiritual Vine, even the buds can be fruitful; the youngest can make themselves useful. (J. L. Nye.)
The condition of fruitfulness:—I saw a little twig scarcely an inch long, so tender an infant hand could break it; rough and unseemly without comeliness, and when I saw it there was no beauty that I should desire it. It said: “If I were comely and beautiful, like those spring flowers I see, I could attract, and please, and fulfil a mission.” It said: “If I were like yonder oak or cedar, I could afford shelter to God’s weary sheep at noonday, and the fowls of heaven should sing among my branches.” It said: “If I were even strong, I might bear some burden, or serve a purpose as a peg, a bolt, or a pin, in God’s great building that is going up. But so unsightly, so weak, so small!” A voice said to it: “Abide in Me, and I in you, He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit.” And so it rested. It was not long until a glory of leaves crowned it, and in God’s time I saw the heavy fruit it bore. Without Me ye can do nothing.—
Without Christ—nothing:—No saint, prophet, apostle would ever have said this to a company of faithful men. Among the virtues of a perfect man we must certainly reckon modesty. It is impossible to conceive that Jesus of Nazareth, had he not been more than man, could ever have uttered this sentence. We have here—
I. An aspiration of hope. From such a root what a vintage must come! Being branches in Him, what fruit we must produce! That word “do” has music in it. Jesus went about doing good, and, being in Him, we shall do good. There is the hope of doing something in the way of glorifying God by bringing forth—1. The fruits of holiness, peace, and love. 2. Fruit in the conversion of others. 3. Fruit of further blessing will ripen for this poor world. Men shall be blessed in us because we are blessed in Christ.
II. A shudder of fear. It is possible that I may be without Christ, and so may be utterly incapacitated for all good. 1. What if you should not be so in Christ as to bring forth fruit? If you are without Christ, what is the use of carrying on that Bible-class; for you can do nothing? 2. What if you should be in Christ, and not so in Him as to abide in Him? It appears from our Lord’s words that some branches in Him are cast forth and are withered. What if you are off and on with Christ! What if you play fast and loose with the Lord! What if you are an outside saint and an inside devil! What will come of such conduct as this?
III. A vision of total failure. 1. A ministry without Christ in its doctrine will do nothing. Preachers aspire to be leaders of thought; will they not command the multitude and charm the intelligent? “Add music and architecture, and what is to hinder success, and what has been done?” The sum total is expressed in the text—“Nothing.” 2. Without acknowledging always the absolute supremacy of Christ we shall do nothing. Jesus is much complimented but He is not submitted to. Certain modern praises of Jesus are written upon the theory that, on the whole, the Saviour has given us a religion that is tolerably suited to the enlightenment of the nineteenth century, and may be allowed to last a little longer. It is fortunate for Jesus that He commends Himself to the “best thought” and ripest culture of the period; for, if He had not done so, these wise gentlemen would have exposed Him as being behind the times. Of course they have every now and then to rectify certain of His dogmas; He is rectified and squared, and His garment without seam is taken off, and He is dressed out in proper style, as by a West-end clothier; then He is introduced to us as a remarkable teacher, and we are advised to accept Him as far as He goes. Now, what will come of this foolish wisdom? Nothing but delusions, mischief, infidelity, anarchy, and all manner of imaginable and unimaginable ills. 3. You may have sound doctrine, and yet do nothing unless you have Christ in your spirit. In former years many orthodox preachers thought it to be their sole duty to comfort and confirm the godly few who by dint of great perseverance found out the holes and corners in which they prophesied. These brethren spoke of sinners as of people whom God might possibly gather in if He thought fit to do so; but they did not care much whether He did so or not. When a Church falls into this condition it is, as to its spirit, “without Christ.” What comes of it? The comfortable corporation exists and grows for a little while, but it comes to nothing. 4. But above all things we must have Christ with us in the power of His actual presence. The power lies with the Master, not with the servant; the might is in the hand, not in the weapon. 5. We have, then, before us a vision of total failure if we attempt in any way to do without Christ. He says, “Without Me ye can do nothing:” it is in the doing that the failure is most conspicuous. You may talk a good deal without Him; you may hold conferences and conventions; but doing is another matter. The most eloquent discourse without Him will be all a bottle of smoke. You shall lay your plans, and arrange your machinery, and start your schemes; but without the Lord you will do nothing.
IV. A voice of wisdom, which speaks out of the text, and says to us who are in Christ—1. Let us acknowledge this. 2. Let us pray. If without Christ we can do nothing, let us cry to Him that we may never be without Him. 3. Let us personally cleave to Jesus. 4. Heartily submit yourselves to the Lord’s leadership, and ask to do everything in His style and way. He will not be with you unless you accept Him as your Master. 5. Joyfully believe in Him. Though without Him you can do nothing, yet with Him all things are possible.
V. A song of content. “Without Me ye can do nothing.” Be it so. Do you wish to have it altered, any of you that love His dear name? I am sure you do not: for suppose we could do something without Christ, then He would not have the glory of it. Who wishes that? If the Church could do something without Christ she would try to live without Him. As I listened to the song I began to laugh. I thought of those who are going to destroy the orthodox doctrine from off the face of the earth. They say our old theology is decaying, and that nobody believes it. It is all a lie. If His friends can do nothing without Him, I am sure His foes can do nothing against Him. I laughed, too, because I recollected a story of a New England service, when suddenly a lunatic started up and declared that he would at once pull down the meeting-house about their ears. Taking hold of one of the pillars of the gallery, this newly-announced Samson repeated his threatening. Everybody rose; the women were ready to faint. There was about to be a great tumult; no one could see the end of it; when suddenly one cool brother produced a calm by a single sentence. “Let him try!” Even so to-day the enemy is about to disprove the gospel and crush out the doctrines of grace. Are you distressed, alarmed, astounded? So far from that, my reply is this only—Let him try! (C. H. Spurgeon.)
Nothing without Christ:—
I. As to the study of the Bible. There is much in the Bible which all must understand and admire; but as to its moral spirit and purpose what can be done without Christ? How slow of heart to believe were the disciples till Christ opened their understandings (Luke 24:48). Of the Old Testament Christ said, “They are they which testify of Me.” The first words of the New are, “The Book of the Generations of Jesus Christ;” and its last, “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,” &c. He is the Alpha and Omega, and of the whole Bible John 20:31 may be said.
II. As to reconciliation with God. That man needs this is not to be questioned; but how is it to be effected? God cannot change; His laws cannot be set aside. Sin is eternal separation from God. How, then, can man be reconciled? Only through Christ (Rom. 3:19–25; Col. 1:21; 2 Cor. 5:19; Rom. 5:11).
III. As to progress in the Divine life. From first to last the Christian is dependent on Christ. His life is derived from, developed by, devoted to Christ.
IV. As to success in evangelistic work. (W. Forsyth, M.A.)
None but Christ indispensable:—In this world no man is necessary. There are many men who, if they were taken away, would be missed. But there is no man but what we may say of him, that useful and valuable as he may be, we might come to do without him. It is a truth this which we do not like to admit. We like to fancy that things would not go on exactly the same without us as with us. But this world has never seen more than one Being who could say that it was absolutely impossible to go on when separated from Him. The little child fancied, when its mother died, that without her it could “do nothing;” but the grown-up, busy man, hardly seems ever to remember at all her whom the heart-broken child missed so sorely. And the mother, when her little one is called to go, may fancy that without that little one she “can do nothing;” but time brings its wonderful easing, and, though not forgetting, she gets on much as before. And it is the same way in every earthly relation. The husband comes to do without his dead wife; and the wife to do without the departed husband. The congregation that missed their minister for a while, come at length to gather Sunday after Sunday with little thought of the voice it once was pleasant for them to hear. The state comes to do without its lost political chief, and the country without its departed hero: and we learn in a hundred ways, that no human being is absolutely necessary to any other human being. We may indeed fancy so for a while, but at length we shall find that we were mistaken; we may indeed miss our absent friends sadly and long; but we shall come at last to do without them. (A. K. H. Boyd, D.D.)
Man’s greatest need:—No man lives a true and useful life who lives without Christ. The good man feels his need of Him, and of all of Him always. 1. His eye to guide him. 2. His hand to uphold him. 3. His arm to shield him. 4. His bosom to lean upon. 5. His blood to cleanse him. 6. His Spirit to make him holy and meet for heaven. Christ is the one only Saviour who can make a sinner a saint, and secure to him eternal life. Usefulness is suspended upon holiness, and we are made holy by Christ’s cleansing blood, and in no other way. (Homiletic Monthly.)
The union between Christ and His people:—Apart from Christ—
I. There is no merit for our acceptance with God. “There is none righteous, no, not one.” “By the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight.” But in Christ there is all-sufficient merit. Believing in Him, we are justified and accepted. Not through His merit together with what we ourselves can do. Dr. Chalmers’, when awakened to his condition as a sinner, for a time “repaired to the atonement to eke out his deficiencies, and as the ground of assurance that God would look upon him with a propitious eye.” But the conviction was at length “wrought in him that he had been attempting an impossibility … that it must be either on his own merits wholly, or on Christ’s merits wholly, that he must lean; and that, by introducing his own righteousness into the ground of his meritorious acceptance with God, ‘he had been inserting a flaw, he had been importing a falsehood into the very principle of his justification.’ ”
II. We can do nothing to overcome the power of indwelling sin. The evil propensities within us are not the same in each one; it may be the love of money or the lust of power in one, vanity or pride, malice or guile, in another. Does not the Christian have frequent experience that the corruption of his heart is too strong for him? He made good resolutions, and broke them; after repeated failures he is driven almost to despair, and is ready to ask, “Can my corruptions ever be conquered, or must I become more and more their slave?” But if we be brought by Divine grace to cleave in faith to the Saviour, we shall have His Spirit to dwell in us, and in His strength we shall prevail. In ancient fable we read that one of the great labours imposed upon Hercules was to cleanse the foul Augean Stable. This mighty task he accomplished by turning the river Alpheus through it, thus performing with ease what before had appeared impossible. That stable is a true picture of the heart defiled by countless sins. The streams of that fountain opened in the house of David, turned by a living faith to flow into it, alone can cleanse it.
III. We can do nothing to build up a Christian character. In a building there is not only a foundation, but also a superstructure. Apart from Christ we cannot build aright. Christian character may be likened unto a tree growing. “Giving all diligence, add to your faith, virtue,” &c. Here is a noble, well-developed growth; But these spiritual graces will not appear if we do not abide in constant communion with Christ.
IV. We can do nothing to promote the true interests of others. What are all the provisions for the alleviating and removing of the wants and sufferings of men—the hospitals, orphanages, almshouses, and other philanthropic institutions—but the results of Christian effort, the products of the Christian spirit! All noble enduring, legislative acts also, such as that for the emancipation of the slaves, have been brought about by men under the influence of the religion of Christ. Who likewise have filled Wales and other countries with the gospel? Is it not men with the love of Christ as a holy fire burning Within them? (J. R. Owen.)
The necessity of supernatural grace in order to a Christian life:—
I. What we mean by the supernatural grace and assistance of Christ. Whatever natural power we have to do anything is from God, but God, considering the lapsed condition of mankind, sent His Son to recover us out of that condition, but we, being without strength, our Saviour hath in His Gospel offered an extraordinary assistance of His Holy Spirit, to supply the defects of our natural strength. And this supernatural grace of Christ is that alone which can enable us to perform what He requires of us. And this, according to the several uses and occasions of it, is called by several names. As it puts good motions into us, it is called preventing grace; because it prevents any motion or desire on our parts; as it assists and strengthens us in the doing of anything that is good, it is called assisting grace; as it keeps us constant in a good course, it is called persevering grace.
II. To this grace the Scripture doth constantly attribute our regeneration, sanctification, and perseverance in holiness.
III. There is great reason to assert the necessity of this grace and assistance to these purposes. If we consider—1. The corruption and impotency of human nature. When the Scripture speaks of the redemption of Christ, it represents our condition not only as miserable, but helpless (Rom. 5:6). 2. The strange power of evil habits and customs. The other is a natural, and this is a contracted impotency. The habits of sin being added to our natural impotency, are like so many diseases superinduced upon a constitution naturally weak, which do all help to increase the man’s infirmity. Evil habits in Scripture are compared to fetters, which do as effectually hinder a man from motion, as if he were quite lame, hand and foot. By passing from one degree of sin to another, men became hardened in their wickedness, and insensibly bring themselves into that state, out of which they are utterly unable to recover themselves. 3. The inconstancy and fickleness of human resolution. 4. The malice and activity of the devil.
IV. This supernatural grace and assistance does not exclude, but supposes the concurrence of our endeavours. The grace of God strengthens and assists us. Our Saviour implies that by the assistance of grace we may perform all the duties of the Christian life; we may bear fruit, and bring forth much fruit. When the Apostle says, “I can do all things through Christ strengthening me,” he does not think it a disparagement to the grace of Christ to say, he could do all things by the assistance of it (Phil. 2:12, 13).
V. This grace is derived to us from our union with Christ. Inferences: 1. If the grace of God be so necessary to all the ends of holiness, obedience, and perseverance, then there is great reason why we should continually depend upon God, and every day earnestly pray to Him for the aids of His grace. 2. We should thankfully acknowledge and ascribe all the good that is in us, and all that we do, to the grace of God. 3. Let us take heed that we resist not the Spirit of God, and receive not the grace of God in vain. 4. The consideration of our own impotency is no excuse to our sloth and negligence, if so be the grace of God be ready to assist us. 5. The consideration of our own impotency is no just ground of discouragement to our endeavours, considering the promise of Divine grace and assistance. (Archbishop Tillotson.)[9]
5 Thus far in the allegory it has been assumed that the branches are to be understood as the disciples. Here this identity is confirmed: “I am the vine; you are the branches.” Jesus does not say that he is the stem and we are the branches. As vine he is both stem and branches. We are included in him (cf. the analogous figure of Christ as the whole body [1 Co 12:12] while at the same time its head [Eph 4:15]). The life of the branch is the life of the vine. The branch has no life of its own. For this reason it must remain in the vine.
Jesus promises that if we as branches remain in him (and he in us), we will “bear much fruit.” The life of the believer who abides in Christ cannot help but be productive. Fruit is the necessary result of maintaining a vital relationship with the vine. “Apart from me,” says Jesus, “you can do nothing.” Cut off from the source of life, the branch will wither and die. Cut off from Christ by an unwillingness to abide, the professing Christian will be unable to produce fruit or, for that matter, do anything of spiritual consequence.[10]
5 For “I am the vine” see on verse 1. “I” and “you” are set over against each other by the use of the emphatic pronouns. The roles of Christ and of his followers are not to be confused. But there is a mutual indwelling, and this is the condition of fruitfulness. Those who so abide in Christ and have Christ abiding in them keep on bearing fruit in quantity. The verse concludes with an emphatic declaration of human helplessness apart from Christ. In isolation from him no spiritual achievement is possible. For the complementary truth compare “I can do everything through him who gives me strength” (Phil. 4:13).[11]
5 Jesus now repeats the “I am” (see v. 1), stating explicitly what he has been assuming from the start: “I am the Vine, you are the branches” (v. 5a), the emphatic “you” pointedly echoing the direct address of verses 3 and 4. This pronouncement serves as a heading to a sequence that follows (vv. 5–8), setting before the disciples two stark alternatives. These can be usefully set forth in a chiastic (a-b-b-a) pattern (not because the writer intended it but simply as a help to the reader):
a. The person who dwells in me, and I in him, he bears much fruit,
b. so that apart from me you cannot do anything (v. 5).
b′. Unless someone dwells in me, he is thrown outside like the branch, and withered, and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned up (v. 6).
a′. If you make your dwelling in me, and my words dwell in you, ask whatever you want and it will be done for you. In this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples (vv. 7–8).
The point of the sequence is simple. When branches “dwell” or remain in the vine (a and a′), they bear fruit (even “much fruit”); when they do not (b and b′), they die, and the same is true of Jesus’ disciples in relation to him. In the first half of the sequence (or chiasm, if we may call it that), Jesus states the alternatives briefly (a and b), in the second half, he repeats them at greater length and in reverse order (b′ and a′). Throughout the sequence, he interweaves generalizations about a “person” (any person, or “someone”) with words directed explicitly to the disciples (that is, to “you”). First he issues a generalized promise that “The person who dwells in me, and I in him, he bears much fruit,” and then a very plainly worded warning to the disciples, “so that apart from me you cannot do anything” (v. 5b). If they were confused over what it meant to “dwell” in him and he in them, or to “bear fruit,” there is no room for confusion here. For the moment at least, the metaphor and the mystery disappear, and there is no mistaking what he means. It is a matter of total dependence upon him. Later, we will see a dramatic illustration of this pronouncement, as the disciples after the resurrection fished all night and “caught nothing” (21:3) until the risen Jesus told them where to cast their net.[12]
Ver. 5.—Christ returns to the main theme of the previous verse, but here discriminates more forcibly the vine from the branches, and yet holds and binds them into a unity. I am the vine, ye are the branches; which shows that he treated the disciples themselves as the organs of his earthly fruit-bearing; and then draws a larger circle and makes a complete and comprehensive statement on which the very existence of the “true vine,” the “body of Christ, including the Head,” depends, viz. He that abideth in me, and I in him—i.e. whenever the conditions of which I have spoken to you are fulfilled; wherever there are human souls deriving from their connection with me the full advantage of the life ever streaming forth from me—the same beareth much fruit; the entire end of their new life is secured. He beareth “much fruit.” In other words, many of those blessed fruits of the supernatural life appear, which the great Husbandman desires to receive. And this strengthens the position of the previous verse, which threatened excision from the vine to such as bear no fruit. Such, though in one sense “in the Vine,” do not abide in him. Because apart from—severed from—me ye can do nothing. The ὅτι suggests the question—Can the negative result justify the positive assertion? It does in this way. There are two premises: the first is, “I am the Vine, and ye are the branches,” and the second is, “Severed from me a branch can effect nothing,” having no independent fruitfulness or stability. All its powers are derived from this supernatural source, and depend on Christ’s faithfulness to his own nature and functions; therefore, “He that abideth in me, and I in him, bringeth forth much fruit.” The language here does not repress the endeavour of the human will after righteousness, nor pronounce a judgment on the great controversy between Augustinians and Pelagians. These words are not addressed to unconverted men, but to disciples, who have to learn their constant need of spiritual contact with their invisible Lord. Let a believer, let an apostle, sever himself from Christ, and live on his own past reputation or his supposed strength, on the clearness of his intellect, the vigour of his body, the eminence of his position, he can and will do nothing.[13]
5. Without me you can do nothing. This is the conclusion and application of the whole parable. So long as we are separate from him, we bear no fruit that is good and acceptable to God, for we are unable to do anything good. The Papists not only extenuate this statement, but destroy its substance, and, indeed, they altogether evade it; for, though in words they acknowledge that we can do nothing without Christ, yet they foolishly imagine that they possess some power, which is not sufficient in itself, but, being aided by the grace of God, co-operates, (as they say,) that is, works along with it; for they cannot endure that man should be so much annihilated as to do nothing of himself. But these words of Christ are too plain to be evaded so easily as they suppose. The doctrine invented by the Papists is, that we can do nothing without Christ, but that, aided by him, we have something of ourselves in addition to his grace. But Christ, on the other hand, declares that we can do nothing of ourselves. The branch, he says, beareth not fruit of itself; and, therefore, he not only extols the aid of his co-operating grace, but deprives us entirely of all power but what he imparts to us. Accordingly, this phrase, without me, must be explained as meaning, except from me.
Next follows another sophism; for they allege that the branch has something from nature, for if another branch, which is not fruit-bearing, be ingrafted in the vine, it will produce nothing. But this is easily answered; for Christ does not explain what the branch has naturally, before it become united to the vine, but rather means that we begin to become branches at the time when we are united to him. And, indeed, Scripture elsewhere shows that, before we are in him, we are dry and useless wood.[14]
[2] Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., Whitehead, M. M., Grigoni, M. R., & Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (Jn 15:5). Lexham Press.
[10] Mounce, R. H. (2007). John. In T. Longman III & D. E. Garland (Eds.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Luke–Acts (Revised Edition) (Vol. 10, p. 575). Zondervan.
One of the greatest witnesses to the reality of the Christian faith is the amazing transformation testimonies of millions of individuals down through the centuries. Once these men and women decided to place their trust in Jesus Christ, not only did they undergo a new creation transformation (2 Corinthians 5:17), but they went from sinner to saint, from bondage to free. Christianity is the only religion that can boast these total life transformation experiences.
And the wonderful thing about these changed lives are that they happen to people from all walks of life. Working at the Bowery Mission in New York City for over a decade allowed me to interact with hundreds of homeless men; many at the end of their rope. Thankfully many came to know Jesus through the life changing programs that the mission offers. And their transformation stories have served to prove to me over and over how a personal relationship with Jesus can make all the difference in every area of their lives.
I have witnessed once hardened criminals become gentle and compassionate saints of God. They have traded their hardened hearts, through spiritual surgery in Christ, for hearts overflowing with peace and a desire to help others. I have watched men addicted to drugs and alcohol released from their bondage and become completely sober. Men who have struggled all their lives with holding grudges and seeking revenge have learned the great secret in Christ of practicing forgiveness. As a result, their once unforgiving heart, that was causing such hatred and bitterness and negative physical symptoms, became changed through Christ – generating total liberation from these once destructive thoughts and emotions. I have also witnessed broken and shattered relationships restored through the power of Christ for many of these men.
Other religions, organizations, secular counselors, and self-help books may make superficial changes to an individual but only Christ can make permanent and long lasting changes – and these changes are always for the good. And the reasons are simple.
Different religions try to help you become a better person based on obeying rules while Christianity, is not so much based on rules, but on a relationship. Only a restored relationship with the one true God can make the lasting changes that are the hallmark of Christianity. Organizations such as Alcoholics Anonymous can be helpful but they can only reform – while Christianity transforms. Sadly, many alcoholics that participate in these twelve step programs may stop drinking but many become chain smokers instead – substituting one poison for another. Secular counselors can be helpful but only when they share biblical principles with those they counsel. And finally, self-help books are doomed to failure because they start with the faulty premise that we inside ourselves have the tools to succeed. The Bible clearly tells us in (Romans 3:10-12): “…There is none righteous, no, not one; There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one.” You see the Bible says that our old self is fatally flawed and so how can this self, therefore help self?
A personal relationship with Christ is the foundation upon which Christianity stands and once you become a Christian everything about yourself changes. You now, through the Holy Spirit, can say no to sin. Your self-image and self-esteem become very positive because you now know who you are in Christ. Your motivation to do good is now a central focus of your behavior because Christ lives in you and is now directing your decisions. And finally, God changes your desires to now, not always be concentrated on self-fulfillment, but on helping others.
In conclusion Christianity is unique, transformational, and the only antidote to bring peace and joy to our sin sick souls.
He that walketh uprightly walketh surely.Proverbs 10:9
His walk may be slow, but it is sure. He that hasteth to be rich shall not be innocent nor sure; but steady perseverance in integrity, if it does not bring riches, will certainly bring peace. In doing that which is just and right, we are like one walking upon a rock, for we have confidence that every step we take is upon solid and safe ground. On the other hand, the utmost success through questionable transactions must always be hollow and treacherous, and the man who has gained it must always be afraid that a day of reckoning will come, and then his gains will condemn him.
Let us stick to truth and righteousness. By God’s grace let us imitate our Lord and Master, in whose mouth no deceit was ever found. Let us not be afraid of being poor, nor of being treated with contempt. Never, on any account whatever, let us do that which our conscience cannot justify. If we lose inward peace, we lose more than a fortune can buy. If we keep in the Lord’s own way and never sin against our conscience, our way is sure against all comers. Who is he that can harm us if we be followers of that which is good? We may be thought fools by fools if we are firm in our integrity; but in the place where judgment is infallible we shall be approved.
“Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding”Proverbs 4:7
“God hides some ideal in every human soul. At some time in our life we feel a trembling, fearful longing to do some good thing. Life finds its noblest spring of excellence in this hidden impulse to do our best.” — Robert Collyer
“God knows the secret plan of the things he will do for the world, using my hand.” —Toyohiko Kagawa
“Reach high, for stars lie hidden in your soul. Dream deep, for every dream precedes the goal.” —Pamela Vaull Starr
“Don’t doubt in the darkness what God has given you in the light.” — Dr. Henrietta C. Mears
“Success is not measured by what a man accomplishes, but by the opposition he has encountered and the courage with which he has maintained the struggle against overwhelming odds.” — Charles Lindbergh
“What we are is God’s gift to us. What we become is our gift to God.” — Louis Nizer
“And along with the dream, will You give me whatever graces, patience, and stamina it takes to see the dream through to fruition?” — Catherine Marshall
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” Hebrews 12:1–2.
When we envision the idea of seeking God with our face down, the picture that comes to mind is one of bowing low before our heavenly Father, and thus it should be. We are approaching Him with abject humility. As representatives of the nations, we are confessing our sins and the sins of our cultures to God, beseeching Him to extend mercy and forgiveness, asking Him to move in His compassion and heal our land.
Yet in the humbling of our souls, let us not discard the reality and power of faith. For without faith it is impossible to please Him (Hebrews. 11:1-6). Yes, let us bow low, yet let us also stand in faith, for the mixture of humility and faith is a potent fragrance.
According to examples in Scripture, this humble yet audacious faith truly moves the heart of God. Consider the Canaanite woman who answered what appeared to be an insult from Jesus: “Yes, Lord, but even the dogs feed on the crumbs” (Matthew 15:27). Hers wasn’t an arrogant reply, but the voice of a desperate woman for her daughter. Jesus’ answer tells me she had the perfect attitude of heart: “O woman, your faith is great” (v.28).
Or recall Elijah as he climbed Mt Carmel and, with his “face between his knees,” prayed seven times that an extended drought in Israel might end. The cloudless sky presented the illusion that the Almighty was unmoved by Elijah’s intercession. Yet when Elijah’s servant reported that there was, in fact, one cloud, a tiny wisp of a cloud the size of a man’s hand, Elijah’s faith recognized God’s answer to prayer. Within a few minutes, this tiny cloud, activated by Elijah’s faith in God, was transformed into a massive downpour that ended three-and-a-half years of national drought. (See 1 Kings 18:42-45.)
The Bible has many examples of the power of faith when coupled to humility. If we will see a spiritual outpouring in our land, we will need to stay low in the act of intercession. Yet we will also need faith in the goodness of God. Humility empowered by visionary faith equals breakthrough.
Lord, like Elijah, I too bow low before You. I humble myself before You. Forgive our sins, Lord God, for they are many. Show Yourself mighty against our enemies. Master, even as we bow low before you, we refuse to give up on our nation. Lord, forgive, heal and then empower us to bring the lost to You. Let Your name be exalted throughout the land and Your mercy lifted to the heavens. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
In unusual move, European Parliament condemns Hamas, says it must be ‘eliminated’ The European Parliament passed a non-binding resolution on Thursday calling for the Iran-backed Hamas terror organization to be “eliminated” following the gruesome Hamas massacre on Oct. 7. The resolution was passed by an overwhelming majority (500:21) of the parliamentarians in favor.
Jordan Out As Speaker Candidate After 3rd Loss House GOP members have voted by secret ballot to remove Jim Jordan as candidate for speaker, according to Punchbowl News’ Jake Sherman, who added that House Republicans are headed home for the weekend and will hold a candidate forum Monday night.
Calif. ‘assault weapons’ ban ruled unconstitutional U.S. District Judge Roger Benitez ruled Thursday that a 33-year-old California law banning “assault weapons” is unconstitutional. Benitez, who previously ruled against the state of California’s “assault weapons” ban, noted that the state’s actions to prohibit the sale of semiautomatic guns represent a violation of the Second Amendment,
Gallant’s 3 phase plan: After Hamas is eliminated, Israel will seek ‘new security regime’ Gallant outlined the objectives, with a primary focus on eliminating Hamas and dismantling its military and governance capabilities. Additionally, he expressed intentions to strip Israel of any residual responsibility for the Gaza Strip and establish a new security framework. “October 7 marks the day when the process of eradicating Hamas began,” Gallant said.
Deadly Worldview: Doctors Scheduled Abortion for At-Risk Baby Without Mom’s Consent UK mom Soozy Jenner’s unborn daughter was tragically diagnosed with encephalocele, a rare neural tube defect, and Soozy was told “the baby wasn’t viable” (despite a strong heartbeat). She requested an MRI and a second medical opinion, but instead, the doctors reportedly booked Soozy an abortion to end baby Grace’s life. they booked this deadly procedure without Soozy’s knowledge or consent.
Thousands of Ultra-Orthodox request to join IDF in war Some 120 ultra-Orthodox men will join the IDF next week and thousands of others have requested to do the same, while Israel is fighting a war in Gaza and may be forced to fight Hezbollah in the north as well. The unprecedented move by 3,000 from the Haredi sector reflects a change that had not been seen before.
Top US Lawmaker Calls on State Department to Declare Hamas Massacre a Genocide US Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX), the chairman of the powerful House Foreign Affairs Committee, has called on the State Department to declare Hamas’ massacre of Israelis on Oct. 7 an act of genocide. In a letter sent on Thursday to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Ambassador-at-Large for Global Criminal Justice Beth Van Schaack, McCaul described the legal requirements for genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. He also listed evidence from Hamas itself to argue that the Palestinian terrorist group’s slaughter of more than 1,400 people, mostly civilians, during its invasion of Israel met those requirements.
IDF intercepts aircraft headed to Israel from Lebanon The IDF on Friday evening intercepted an aircraft that was headed toward Israeli airspace from Lebanese territory. The IDF Spokesperson’s Unit said that there was no infiltration of Israeli air space.
Hamas frees mother and daughter nearly two weeks after they were abducted to Gaza Hamas on Friday evening freed two of the hostages it captured during its deadly terrorist attack against Israel on October 7, citing “humanitarian reasons” for doing so. The two have been identified as Judith Raanan, 59, and Natalie Raanan, 18, a mother and her daughter who are dual Israeli and US nationals.
Pro-Hamas riot leaves 65 police officers injured in Berlin At least 65 police officers were wounded in Berlin on Wednesday as they attempted to break up violent anti-Israel riots in the German capital’s Neukölln borough, officials said. The officers were injured by “stones, flammable liquid and acts of resistance” as hundreds of primarily young Muslim men defied a ban on gatherings in support of Hamas terrorism, Berlin police said in a post on X
Hayovel Launches Operation Ittai: Defending Israel’s Heartland Operation Ittai is being organized by Christian and Jewish organizations all over the world who believe in equipping and defending the Jewish communities of Judea and Samaria. Israel is now facing their worst crisis since their founding in 1948.
After rocket barrage from Lebanon on Western Galilee, northern Israeli town Kiryat Shmona receives order to evacuate The residents of the city of Kiryat Shmona, located just a few miles from the Lebanese border, will undergo an evacuation the Israel Defense Forces and the Defense Ministry announced Friday morning. The measure was taken in anticipation of escalating tensions with the Hezbollah terror group, which has been attacking Israeli posts and towns along the border from Lebanon daily since the start of the war against Hamas.
PREEMPTIVE STRIKE: Will Israel choose this moment to attack Iran’s nuclear facilities and assassinate its leaders? Everyone in Israel is waiting for the ground invasion of northern Gaza to begin. Why hasn’t it started already? Some in the media are speculating that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has just “blinked,” and isn’t serious about eradicating the Hamas terrorist organization. That’s not it. …pay attention. “We are preparing for the next stages of war,” Lt. Colonel Richard Hecht told reporters. “We haven’t said what they will be. Everybody’s talking about the ground offensive. It might be something different.”
Pope Francis gives Synod members Vatican II lobby group’s liberation theology text In a hugely significant move, participants of the Synod on Synodality were quietly given the text of a secretive pact – first composed by a group of liberal theologians during Vatican II – which is part of a relativistic and “egalitarian” plan embodied and enacted by Pope Francis to “change the identity of the Catholic Church.”
Dayton-appointed judge calls felon voting law unconstitutional in ‘unprecedented’ move A Mille Lacs County judge who was appointed to the bench by former Democratic governor Mark Dayton said in two orders last week that a new law granting felons the right to vote before they complete their sentence is “unconstitutional.” Judge Matthew Quinn ordered defendants in two criminal cases to refrain from voting or registering to vote until they complete probation. “Defendant, having been convicted of a felony offense, is not eligible to vote until the civil right to vote has been otherwise restored,” he wrote. Attached to his orders was a memorandum calling HF 28, the felon voting bill, an “unconstitutional act.”
Storm Babet leaves a trail of destruction across Scotland and Ireland, affects transportation in Sweden, Norway, and Germany At least two people were killed during the onslaught of Storm Babet in Glen Esk, Scotland on a Thursday afternoon, October 19, 2023, marking a somber note in the cascade of adversities brought about by the storm that saw hundreds of homes evacuated and over 20 000 households plunged into darkness. Severe flooding was also reported in parts of Ireland, where an investigation is now in progress as to why red warnings were not issued for areas that witnessed devastating effects.
Employee Replacement? Amazon Introduces Humanoid Robots In Warehouse They won’t ask for bathroom breaks. They won’t request vacation time. They won’t be late. They don’t require health insurance. Humanoid robots are here to replace human workers. Amazon started a trial of humanoid robots in its U.S. warehouses.
Christian Woman Gets FIRED After Jewish Ohio Congressmen Accuse Her of ‘Bigotry’ For Sharing Gospel Despite Jewish Ohio congressman Max Miller (R) apologizing to Ohio Right to Life communications director Elizabeth Marbach on Tuesday for demanding she “delete” a “bigoted” tweet preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ, he appears to have gotten her fired from her job in retaliation for refusing to renounce her faith.
Dylan Mulvaney named ‘Woman of the Year’ When it becomes socially acceptable to purposefully break with reality and pretend the unreal is the real, you know society is in rapid decline.
QUOTES Non Compos Mentis I “It is our moral obligation to be in solidarity with the dispossessed, no matter the pathway to liberation they choose to take. This includes violence.” —UNC Students for Justice in Palestine “Perhaps the major achievement of the resistance in the temporary takeover of these settler-colonies is the death blow to any confidence that Israeli colonists had in their military and its ability to protect them. … As the ongoing war between the Israeli colonial army and the indigenous Palestinian resistance has only just begun, the days to come will surely be crucial in determining if this is the start of the Palestinian War of Liberation or yet another battle in the interminable struggle between the colonizer and the colonized.” —Columbia University professor Joseph Massad “What has Hamas done? Hamas has shifted the balance of power. Hamas has punctured the illusion of invincibility. … Hamas has challenged the monopoly of violence. … It was exhilarating! It was exhilarating! It was energizing! And if they weren’t exhilarated by this challenge to the monopoly of violence, by this shifting of the balance of power, then they would not be human. I was exhilarated!” —Cornell professor Russell Rickford “I’m not suggesting that Hamas deliberately did it either; it’s that old thing, ‘Gotta learn how to shoot straight.‘” —Joe Biden regarding the Gaza terrorists’ wayward rocket “I can understand why in this circumstance they wouldn’t believe.” —Joe Biden when told, “People … don’t necessarily believe you or the Israelis that they didn’t have anything to do with it.” “I look at this from a legal perspective and I think we all know that Hamas has been designated a terror organization just like many other terror organizations, like the Proud Boys here in the United States.” —“The View’s” Sunny Hostin The BIG Lies I “Bombing a hospital is among the gravest of war crimes. The IDF reportedly blowing up one of the few places the injured and wounded can seek medical treatment and shelter during a war is horrific.” —Congresswoman Ilhan Omar (D-MN) “Israel just bombed the Baptist Hospital killing 500 Palestinians (doctors, children, patients) just like that.” —Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) “That’s what’s been really painful. It’s, it’s just — continue to watch people think it’s okay to bomb a hospital.” —Rashida Tlaib “We are literally watching [Israelis] commit genocide and killing a vast majority just like this, and we still stand by and say nothing.” —Rashida Tlaib “You’re been targeted, you’re being gaslit, some people are losing their jobs, folks are getting events canceled — literally their First Amendment right wiped away for standing up and saying that children deserve to live. It is … literally inhumane for my colleagues to allow that to continue and say nothing.” —Rashida Tlaib Theater of the Absurd “You can’t have the attack that happened to Israel by a terrorist group like Hamas. At the same time, you can’t have the over-response, the collective punishment that’s coming out of Israel back to the citizenry, the Palestinians in Gaza, who are clearly not Hamas.” —Congressman Mark Pocan (D-WI) “The United States has a responsibility to ensure accountability to human rights, to prevent the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians, and to ensure that horrors do not happen in the names of victims who do not want their tragedy used to justify further violence and injustice.” —Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) “Hamas and the extreme elements of Hamas don’t represent all the Palestinian people.” —Joe Biden (Actually, yes, the Palestinians elected Hamas.) Grand Delusions “Did [Iran] have foreknowledge? Did they help plan the [Israel] attack? There’s no evidence of that at this point.” —Joe Biden “We haven’t seen direct evidence that Iran participated in or helped plan the attack.” —Secretary of State Antony Blinken “We just haven’t seen any specific, tangible intelligence that leads us to the conclusion that the regime in Tehran was … [a] participant in these specific attacks.” —National Security Council spokesman John Kirby “We have seen no specific indication that another actor or another state is preparing to widen and deepen and escalate this [Israel-Hamas] conflict.” —John Kirby “If people are looking for us to say, ‘Well, you gotta hold Iran accountable,’ I mean, my goodness … take a look at what we’ve done in just two and a half years.” —John Kirby “I don’t believe that any singular actor wants to see an escalation in violence.” —Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez The BIG Lies II “The American economy is doing extremely well.” —Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen “The war on inflation is over. We won, at very little cost.” —New York Times columnist Paul Krugman “Inflation is coming down. It’s down 60% since last summer. Core inflation is the lowest level in two years.” —Joe Biden “I reduced the budget by $1.7 billion [sic], okay? I reduced the debt while doing it.” —Joe Biden Hot Air “We are not attempting to decouple from China. … We need to cooperate on a variety of global challenges, and I would say climate change is an obvious example.” —Janet Yellen “I came to office determined to get this country up again so we could face the existential threat of climate and still grow.” —Joe Biden “[Climate change is] the only existential threat to humanity.” —Joe Biden Demagogue “This is not your father’s Republican Party. Thirty percent of it is made up of these MAGA Republicans who are maybe — democracy is something they don’t look at at the same way you and I look at democracy.” —Joe Biden Non Compos Mentis II “Who in God’s name needs a weapon with a hundred rounds in their chamber?” —Joe Biden “We made human rights for LGBT around the world a top priority of my foreign policy.” —Joe Biden Dumb & Dumber “I think about the young [Florida] teachers who are in their twenties who, if they are in a same-sex relationship, are afraid to put up a photograph of themselves and their partner for fear they may lose their job.” —Kamala Harris “There are some forces in our country that are trying to say that it is a bad term to talk about DEI. They’re trying to do with DEI what they did with woke. … They’re trying to suggest that it is somehow wrong to talk about DEI — diversity, equity, and inclusion.” —Kamala Harris Can’t Fix Stupid “I don’t have any regrets about [the letter claiming Hunter’s laptop was Russian disinformation]. My concern was to alert the public [about] disinformation. … Frankly, I haven’t seen any evidence from any intelligence agency that that was not the case.” —former CIA Director Leon Panetta Dezinformatsiya “By using the term ‘open border,’ conservatives are suggesting that anyone can get into the U.S. without much hassle. But the reality is the southern border is more fortified than it’s ever been.” —Axios Snake Oil “We cannot have a public health system that is a patchwork of good health and bad health. And unfortunately, because the Constitution left the authority for healthcare to the states, we have a patchwork. And COVID was perfect proof of that. There is no way we will deal well with any pandemic in the future and no way we will be able to weave together the infrastructure that we need to deal with climate change if we don’t weave together the 50 states in dealing with healthcare, which means we have to have a universal system of public health.” —HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra Village Idiot “The modern GOP would never vote for Jesus. I mean, he was soft on Samaritans and commanded everyone to sell their possessions and give the money to the poor. The guy was clearly a socialist. He was worse than a socialist; he was a Christian.” —“comedian” Stephen Colbert
The IDF fires artillery shells into Gaza on October.Photo by Ilia yefimovich/picture alliance via Getty Images
Israel has received its 45th cargo plane as arms continue to enter the country.
The shipment reportedly included military supplies, medical equipment, and military ambulances.
Another shipment on Thursday also delivered armored vehicles to the Israel Defense Forces.
The Israeli Ministry of Defense confirmed that a 45th cargo plane had arrived in Israel on social media as armaments and military vehicles continue to pour into the country.
A post on X, formerly known as Twitter, showed a video and images of the cargo, which arrived in Israel on Friday.
The shipment delivered “around 1,000 tons of armaments” — including military supplies, medical equipment, and military ambulances — to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) as it prepares for its ground offensive in Gaza following the Hamas militant group’s attacks on October 7.
Another cargo plane carrying a shipment of armored vehicles for the IDF, sent by the US, arrived on Thursday.
The shipments come as part of a joint effort between the IDF and Israel Ministry of Defense. The delivery was coordinated by the US Procurement Mission and the Israel Ministry of Defense’s Directorate of Production and Procurement.
Israel’s Director General of the Ministry of Defense has authorized procurement orders both international and domestically worth around NIS 400 million, which is around $100 million, the Jewish Press reported.
On Thursday, US President Joe Biden said he would ask for billions of dollars in wartime aid for Ukraine and Israel. He announced an urgent funding request to be put before Congress on Friday. It was expected Biden would ask for $105bn, with $14bn earmarked for Israel. No package details have been made public by the White House, per BBC News.
Joe Biden purchased his luxury $2.75 million Rehoboth Beach, Delaware home with all cash after Hunter Biden threatened his Chinese business partner in a $5 million shakedown.
In June, IRS whistleblower Gary Shapely revealed Hunter Biden demanded payment from his Chinese business associate over WhatsApp messenger.
On July 30th, 2017, Hunter Biden demanded payment and threatened Henry Zhao, a Chinese Communist Party official and director of Harvest Fund Management.
Harvest Fund Management had previously invested in Hunter Biden’s firm, BHR Partners – a private investment fund founded in 2013 that is co-owned by the Bank of China.
Hunter and Joe Biden threatened Henry Zhao – make a payment or else!
The July 2017 WhatsApp message Hunter Biden sent to Henry Zhao is as follows according to the IRS whistleblower:
“I am sitting here with my father and we would like to understand why the commitment made has not been fulfilled. Tell the director that I would like to resolve this now before it gets out of hand, and now means tonight. And, Z, if I get a call or text from anyone involved in this other than you, Zhang, or the chairman, I will make certain that between the man sitting next to me and every person he knows and my ability to forever hold a grudge that you will regret not following my directions. I am sitting here waiting for the call with my father.”
A week later Hunter Biden received a $5 million wire described as an ‘interest-free loan’ (a way for Hunter to avoid paying taxes) from a Chinese firm.
On August 8, 2017, $5 million was wired from a CEFC-affiliated investment vehicle (Northern International) to the bank account for Hudson West III, which spent the next year transferring $4,790,375 million directly to Hunter Biden’s firm, Owasco, according to a Senate report reviewed by this reporter.
A few weeks before this desperate shakedown, Joe Biden plopped down nearly $2.75 million in cash for his Rehoboth Beach home. No wonder why he was so desperate to get this cash from Hunter’s business partner. He was counting on it to cover his new real estate transaction.
“Property records show Joe’s six-bedroom second property was purchased on June 8, 2017 for $2,744,001 – just seven weeks before his son’s shakedown messages.” The Daily Mail reported.
There was no record of a mortgage lien against the Rehoboth property until Joe and Jill Biden opened a $250,000 HELOC (home equity line of credit) against the property last December.
Biden document obtained by Fox News
The White House refuses to say why Joe Biden quietly secured the $250,000 home equity line of credit.
Biden’s Rehoboth Beach home
House Oversight Chairman James Comer responded to the latest evidence of Biden family corruption in a statement to The Daily Mail:
“The fact that Joe Biden purchased a luxurious beach house around the same time his family was receiving millions from a CCP-linked company raises many questions that need to be answered,” Comer told DailyMail.com.
“The House Oversight Committee will continue to follow the money trail to determine the extent of President Biden’s involvement in his family’s influence-peddling schemes and its impact on our national security,” Comer added.
The Biden White House has repeatedly avoided questions about whether Joe Biden was actually with his son Hunter when he sent the threatening message to Henry Zhao.
White House reporters over the summer repeatedly grilled NatSec spox John Kirby and Press Sec Karine Jean-Pierre about this WhatsApp message.
“Have you spoken to the president about this? Have you asked him whether he was there with his son on July 30, 2017?” a reporter asked KJP over the summer.
“This is not a conversation that I’ve had with the president,” KJP said.
However, pictures from the “Laptop From Hell” place Hunter at Joe Biden’s Wilmington, Delaware house on the same day he invoked his dad’s name to threaten a Chinese business associate.
According to the metadata on the Corvette photo, Hunter Biden was at Joe Biden’s Delaware house on the same day he threatened Henry Zhao.
Rep. Mike Waltz, R-Fla., joined ‘Fox & Friends Weekend’ to discuss the Israel-Hamas war and the Biden administration’s ongoing push to send more military aid. #foxnews
While the odds tend to favor the lower court in such orders, there is ample reason to object to the scope and language of the order. The ill-defined bar on criticizing the prosecution or witnesses (including one of Trump’s opponents in this election) raises serious free speech concerns. It is also unlikely to have any appreciable impact on the heated public debate over this and other prosecutions of the presidential candidate. Much of this campaign will focus on the alleged weaponization of the criminal justice system. While Trump is still allowed to criticize the case generally, the vague order cuts too deeply into his right to criticize the prosecutor, the judge, and witnesses in the case in this election.
Here is the column:
The imposition of a gag order on former President Donald Trump was overwhelmingly applauded by pundits and press alike. Journalists described the order from US District Judge Tanya Chutkan as “narrow” and “limited.” Most of them lionized Chutkan as an “unflinching” and “no-nonsense” judge who would not tolerate Trump’s penchant for personal attacks and reckless rhetoric.
Whether it’s being sent to prison for a joke or being given an extra-long sentence for being insufficiently repentant, there’s a Soviet quality to the new DOJ.
Our culture has become increasingly captivated by apocalyptic themes and storylines, with a plethora of popular TV shows and feature films embracing zombies, plagues, and other terrifying end of days scenarios.
Amid the deadliest attack on the Jewish people since the Holocaust, President Joe Biden has pledged to send Hamas-controlled areas of the Palestinian Authority the same amount of U.S. taxpayer funding that Iran sends to Hamas each year. The pledge constitutes another of Biden’s “numerous idiocies” that imperils the Middle East, according to one U.S. senator.
Biden announced during his one-day visit to Israel on Wednesday that he has proposed “$100 million in new U.S. funding for humanitarian assistance in both Gaza and the West Bank. This money will support more than 1 million displaced and conflict-affected Palestinians, including emergency needs in Gaza.” The request comes separately from another anticipated $100 billion aid request, which Biden described as “unprecedented”: $10 billion for Israel, $60 billion for Ukraine, and the rest for Taiwan and other Pacific nations.
The Palestinian funding would not require Hamas to release any of the 13 Americans currently held hostage.
Sending a $100 million aid package to Hamas-controlled territory “adds to the numerous, numerous idiocies that this administration has pursued,” said Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) on “Washington Watch with Tony Perkins” early Wednesday evening. “I haven’t heard a word from the administration about how they’re going to ensure that this money actually goes to people in need and not to terrorists.”
Hawley joined a chorus of Republican disapproval. Former President Donald Trump said Biden’s moral compass seemed broken. “He’s over in Israel, and he’s giving money to the Palestinians. I think it’s very inappropriate,” Trump told reporters Wednesday. Florida governor and 2024 presidential hopeful Ron DeSantis said he felt no doubt the “humanitarian assistance” “is going to be commandeered by Hamas,” so “I would not send that money.”
The amount of the aid package also raised eyebrows. Iran “provides up to $100?million annually in combined support to Palestinian terrorist groups, including Hamas, Palestine Islamic Jihad, and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command,” according to a 2020 State Department report. Biden has pledged to give Hamas officials “the same amount of money Iran gives Hamas every single year,” noted Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.). “There is now no difference between Joe Biden and the Ayatollah of Iran.”
The European Union also spent $100 million over five years on water pipelines to serve Gaza’s civilian population; in 2021, an online video showed the military wing of Hamas, the al-Qassam Brigades, converting the pipes into rocket launchers. E.U. Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi announced Monday the coalition would suspend all aid to the Palestinian territories — a decision that was reversed five hours later.
Since money is fungible, Biden “might as well have announced $100 million in aid to Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad,” said Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.). Senator Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) agreed the “humanitarian assistance” will amount to nothing more than a “resupply for Hamas terrorists. President Biden continues to embolden Iran and its terror proxies.”
The international agency that most directly serves displaced Palestinians, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), has also accused Palestinian officials of looting foreign aid. UNRWA reported Monday that Hamas authorities stole food and medical supplies intended for its clients. Although UNRWA later deleted the social media posts and denied the burglary, Axios reporter Barak Ravid confirmed that UNRWA officials “tell me this incident did happen.”
The latest Palestinian foreign aid request came as voters’ disapproval of Biden reached an all-time high of 58%, according to a survey released by CNBC on Wednesday. Hoover Institution scholar Victor Davis Hanson worried the proposed package would incentivize further terrorist actions. “We’re basically saying to the Palestinians, ‘Go kill Israeli children and women, and we’re going to reward you with $100 million,’” he told Laura Ingraham on Wednesday. “It’s really a morally bankrupt administration.”
As tensions explode, DeSantis urged a word of caution against entangling the United States in another Middle Eastern war, rejecting the call of Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) to destroy Iran’s oil infrastructure if Hezbollah attacks Israel. “As commander-in-chief, you don’t have the luxury of bellicose rhetoric like that. It’s in U.S. interests that Israel wins the fight against Hamas. I don’t think we necessarily want to instigate a broader war throughout the Middle East,” he said. “You’ve got to be judicious, you’ve got to be very measured as the president of the United States.”
Although DeSantis rejected calls to put “general ground troops” in Israel, “I would have American resources to rescue Americans” held hostage by Hamas.
Biden spent less time on the ground than he intended, finding his visit unexpectedly shortened by his would-be partners in the Arab world. Biden had planned to travel from Tel Aviv to Amman, Jordan, to meet with Jordanian King Abdullah II, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. But the Islamic delegation refused to meet with Biden after the destruction of a Baptist hospital in Gaza on Israel; U.S. and Israeli intelligence pinned the explosion on a faulty rocket fired by Palestinian Islamic Jihad. Saudi Arabia also backed away from Biden’s efforts to sign a mutual defense agreement, which the Saudis hope will require U.S. troops to go to war if Saudi Arabia is attacked.
Being snubbed by the Islamic bloc shows the disintegration of U.S. prestige and influence under the 46th president, said Hanson. “This is much worse than 1980 with Jimmy Carter,” when Iranians stormed the U.S. Embassy in Tehran and held Americans hostage for 444 days — releasing them moments after Ronald Reagan’s inauguration. “You have a complete meltdown of U.S. deterrence throughout the world,” said Hanson.
Former State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus joined ‘Fox & Friends Weekend’ to discuss the latest data emerging from the Israel-Hamas war as the hostage crisis continues. #foxnews
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