Chapter 17, Page 169 – When the attitude is fear, there is no connection to the Spirit. Where there is no Spirit, there is no power. Where there is no Spirit, there is no fruit.
TEXT:
We learned in the first parable that the delivery of the gospel begins with the Holy Spirit. According to the second parable, when the Spirit comes, He brings gifts. But these gifts do not function until they are connected by faith in Jesus to the power of the Spirit (Ephesians 3:16-17).
When the attitude is faith in Jesus, then the power of the Holy Spirit flows and the result is fruitfulness (John 15:5). When the attitude is fear, there is no connection to the Spirit. Where there is no Spirit, there is no power. Where there is no Spirit, there is no fruit.
Jesus’ gospel is faith-based in the power of the Holy Spirit. The result is fruitfulness – in the lives of those who hear the gospel and (please, notice) in the inner life of the one who delivers the gospel. Remember what Jesus says in Matthew 7:20, “By their fruits you shall know them.” The internal faith of the Christian isn’t always evident to outside observers, but the fruitfulness is.