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This title has no doubt made you look twice. I speak with reference to the hedging
or "waffling" that some have done when alleging that a non-Christian cannot possibly
show forth in his life the traits that Paul calls the fruit of the Spirit. When
teaching on the matter, Mac Deaver has denied that a non-Christian could show these
traits that Paul spoke of in Galatians 5:22-23. But when pressed regarding
these characteristics, Mac would waffle and say something along the lines that a
non-Christian could not have this fruit to the extent that a Christian could. There
is quite a difference between denying any semblance of these traits, and then saying
that a non-Christian could have them, but not to the extent of a Christian.
Which is it to be?
The import of this simple question rests upon Mac's false doctrine(s) relating to the Holy Spirit's direct operation upon the heart, mind, or spirit of a Christian. It is alleged that one of the reasons that a man needs to have the Holy Spirit act directly upon him is so that such traits as the "fruit of the Spirit" could be produced in his life. It is alleged that the Bible alone cannot produce these traits in a man were he to try with all his might. Examination of the Scriptures, it seems, will not profit a man in any way to improve his life. Something "extra" must be done. This we deny. So, can a man exhibit the traits of Galatians 5:22-23 in his life were he to read and study the Scriptures? Mac says no. Linking this passage with John 15 and Matthew 7, he erroneously concludes that these three passages are related, and that unless one is a Christian, he cannot produce good fruit. This comes dangerously close to, if not embraces, Calvinism's Total Hereditary Depravity. We deny these conclusions and shall attempt to show our reasoning. Before we can examine what Paul was teaching in Galatians, let us first consider what Jesus taught in general principles that would be true of all men, Christian or non-Christian. Jesus speaks in Matthew chapter seven of "their fruits" and our observation of the fruits (works) of men. This text does not relate to the fruit of the Spirit, but directly to the error of false teachers (v. 15). Yet on the positive side, Jesus said that there were some who bring forth good fruit (good works). He did not say or imply that these were Christians, but rather men who were not false prophets. We conclude that some men who are not Christians and that are not false teachers can indeed bring forth good fruit (works). Now, we ought not to conclude that because men can do good that they will be saved. Such would be the next logical step. However, Jesus covers that thought in this very context with His next point in verses 21-23. Men can produce good fruit (works), but this does not mean they are saved. But neither does it mean they cannot produce good fruit. Not only is this text not related to the Holy Spirit and whatever He is doing in Galatians 5:22-23, but it also shows Mac's doctrine is false. Let us next consider John 15. Again, Jesus speaks of fruit, but this is not "fruit of the Spirit" either. Again, Mac ought not to equate this text with Galatians five. The fruit herein spoken of is the work the apostles will do as Christ's witnesses, through the inspirational work under the direction of the Holy Spirit. This was never applied to Christians in the first place, so how does Mac equate this with Galatians five, which is addressed to Christians? Again we conclude: this does not help Mac to conclude that non-Christians cannot produce good fruits or traits that the Holy Spirit encourages. Finally, what is being taught in Galatians five? Let us take note of four phrases: "walk by the Spirit" (v. 16); "led by the Spirit" (v. 18); "fruit of the Spirit" (v. 22); and "live by the Spirit" (v. 25). We contend that in view of what Jesus taught in Matthew 7, there are men who can produce good fruit (traits), and can do so by looking intently into the perfect law and continuing in what they read there (Jas. 2:25). This action of men, any man, is at least a part of what is implied by the terms "walk, led, and live." Clearly, James applied this to "any man" and "he that" (Jas. 2:23, 25-26), which would of course include a non-Christian. Any man can choose to live according to what he learns in the Bible, which is the seed of the kingdom (Lk. 8:11). To live by these things is the same as "walking" by them (cf. 1 John 2:6). In this way, he is being "led" by the Spirit's teaching. Does this save him? No, we have already shown that. This "works without faith" can no more save him than "faith without works" (Jas. 2:14). But can he produce good fruit? Absolutely. Can a man be "not far from the kingdom?" Jesus said so (Mk. 12:28-34). And why was this man not far from the kingdom? Because of his knowledge and application of the word of God. So, what is the "fruit of the Spirit" and can a non-Christian exhibit such traits? The fruit is the "offspring" or "product" of the Spirit. It is a single fruit that has several — at least nine — facets. These are character traits of a spiritual person, one who desires to be what the Holy Spirit teaches he ought to be. Can a non-Christian have love? Jesus said yes, even one despised by the general population could have love (Matt. 5:46). Can one not a child of God have patience? Read what James wrote: "ye have heard of the patience of Job," (Jas. 5:11). Did Job have the Holy Spirit working directly on his spirit? We think not. Can a man not a Christian be kind and good? Have we not all read of Cornelius? He was described as "a devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, who gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always; a righteous man and one that feareth God, and well reported of by all the nation of the Jews." (Acts 10:2, 22). He had no direct contact with the Holy Spirit, and was certainly not yet a Christian. The question must be: how did these mentioned (and there are more we could name) have such character traits while not yet becoming Christians, and thus not having the Holy Spirit's direct action upon them (as per Mac Deaver)? This writer suggests at least two ways. One, by virtue of the fact that all men are created in the likeness of God, and thus have traits that all sentient beings share: a sense of "ought" and of humanity (cf. Rom. 2:14-15). Second, by means of the sword of the Spirit. David said that God's word would open the eyes, make one wise, and give warning (Psa. 19:7-11; cf. Psa. 119:130). Mac Deaver teaches error when he teaches that a person not a Christian cannot exhibit the traits mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23. He teaches error when he alleges that the Holy Spirit acts directly upon the spirit or heart of a person. Since this is what he teaches must take place in Galatians 5:22-23, he is teaching that the Holy Spirit forces these characteristics upon men. This would also imply that non-Christians must therefore necessarily produce the works of the flesh found in verses 19-21. Again we deny this. (This writer did not become a Christian until he was well grown, and never exhibited most of the works of the flesh before he was saved!) Additionally, how would one be guilty of Acts 7:51 when Stephen accused the Jews of "always resisting the Holy Spirit"? Mac Deaver has erred and we pray he and those who hold these same views will repent and come back to their first love and proper understanding of the biblical doctrine of the Holy Spirit and His work. |