Power System

Jesus said, "Apart from Me you can do nothing" (John 15:5). Nothing? Really?? Was Jesus engaging in hyperbole? Are we just misintepreting it? What's up with this?

Commentators are quick to point out that the text is referring to producing spiritual fruit. I mean, the actual statement here is

Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. (John 15:4-5)

Clearly, fruit is in view here. Spiritual fruit. So is that all He's talking about? My clear and concise answer would be "Yes ... and no." John makes it clear that "All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being" (John 1:3). He is the origin of the species ... the origin of everything that exists. But beyond being the origin, Scripture says things like, "From Him and through Him and to Him are all things" (Rom 11:36) and "in Him all things hold together" (Col 1:17). In fact, we all know that God is "omnipotent," which means God possesses all power ... including yours.

Paul told the Philippians to "work out your salvation with fear and trembling" (Php 2:12). Now, that's quite a command to give to forgiven sinners. How does it work? Well, Paul asked the Galatians, "Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?" (with the clearly implied, "No!") (Gal 3:3). Thus, instead of doing it ourselves, we work out our salvation by means of God being at work in us to both will and do His good pleasure (Php 2:13). So, yes, Jesus was referring to fruit ... and any spiritual good. But if all things consist in Him and all power and authority reside in Him, He actually is the one providing (or withdrawing) the operating force required to do anything. Something to consider when you ... oh, I don't know ... get out of bed tomorrow or whatever.