JOHN 15:1-9 – “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me, he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.”
THEME OF THE DAY: NOTHING REALLY MEANS NOTHING. Today’s scripture is the familiar Parable of the Vine and Branches Jesus taught in the Upper Room Discourse (John 13-16). He identifies for us the singular, not a, but the singular element for living the Christian life. It is the abiding life in Him that leads to a joy-filled and fruitful life for Him.
The verb abide means “to remain, to stay” and the idea is to cling so close to Jesus, as branches do to a vine, so that the life, power, and strength of the vine is naturally transferred over to the branches for fruit-bearing. Our responsibility is to stay near Jesus in the attitude and spirit of total dependency upon Him. And that is a battle, a daily battle. Jesus reminds us of this necessary dependency in the fifth verse . . .
“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).
Jesus makes the simple yet clear statement that any fruit-bearing from His disciples will not result from the strength of themselves, the practical direction of their vision statement, the creativity of their strategies, the structure of their ministries, or even the effort put forth in service for Him. These all may play a part, but none will be the central part. The central part is dependency or abiding in Him. It is life learning absolute surrender to the Lord, dependency upon the Lord, and a close walk with Him in holiness and obedience. The last qualities are the most important.
Our power, and the fruitfulness of our lives comes from nearness to Jesus and that nearness is in holiness and obedience. The early church was powerful and influential for the Lord because of Christ-centered holiness. Without it, there will be no fruit. We may be active in serving the Lord but lack lasting fruit for the Lord. Remember, when Jesus says, “Apart from Me, you can do nothing”, He means nothing, He really does.
PRAYER: Father, help me to not only rely upon Your grace to save me, but also to empower me to live for You.
REFLECTION: God receives glory for our salvation by His grace AND through us living the Christian life by His grace.