John 15:5 – 8
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
REFLECTION
Have you had friends who only want to draw from you? Who never want to invest in you? How do you feel when it always their way? This type of friendship does not last and at times it ends up on a wrong foot. We always want to avoid such friends. This is the same for our spiritual walk. Do we seek God only when we are pressed? He desires a relationship with us.
John 15 defines the type of relationship God expects from us. He wants us to abide/remain in Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the vine we are the branches, our heavenly father is the vine dresser. Apart from Jesus we can do nothing.
When we get born again we enter into a relationship with Jesus Christ. The bible says if we remain in Jesus Christ we will ask for anything that we wish (how liberal) and it will be done for us. The kingdom of God is a kingdom of secrets. Everyday we are studying a secret and today is about remaining in Jesus Christ.
When we ask for something and is done for us, we are bearing fruits. Verse 8 above says ”This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples”. God is glorified in us bearing fruits (since we are the branches), such as, Praying for the sick and they receive healing, telling someone that Jesus loves them, comforting those who mourn, the list is endless.
If we do not bear fruits our ending is definite: we will be cut off, trashed and thrown into the fire. What a sad ending!
When we are not in Christ we are cold towards God and the things of God; church, reading the bible, fellowship, praying etc. This is the cutting from the vine. At this point God removes His hedge of protection and we begin to experience issues that disadvantage us with no one to help us. God gives us time to realize our mistakes and come back to Him. He is very patient and slow to anger, if we don’t repent, His anger revolts against us and He gives us up to the enemy to destroy us (trashing after cutting). If we continue in our evil ways the lake of fire awaits us after judgment. Choose to abide in the vine (Jesus Christ) and bear much fruit.
PRAYER
Father in Jesus name, I come before your throne of mercy because of your word. I repent my sins and I ask for your forgiveness. Redeem me from the curse of law and allow me to remain in you and in Jesus Christ. I desire to bear fruits that will bring glory to your name. Teach me to remain faithful to the cross and help me to bear fruits that befit repentance. Amen
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