January 21, 2024
Abide in Me: John 15:1-12
John 15:1-12: “I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father. “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you.
The notion of bearing fruit is not peripheral, but central to our existence as people of God. In our passage, Jesus speaks of fruit, more fruit and great/much fruit. But there is a difference between “work” and “fruit.” We can do work without being connected to the vine; it comes out of our own strength, mind, heart, soul. This is possible for all humans. Fruit comes only through our connection to Christ, out of His strength, His will, His purposes, His life. It is only when we are connected and flourishing through God’s power that we can truly live out the commands of Jesus & receive the blessings of the kingdom.
What is one place where you are working really hard to accomplish something – using your own strength, your own plan, your own understanding and wisdom?
What would it look like to bring that to Christ and offer it up with honesty and expectation?
If willing, here is a prayer we might use: Lord, I want to see Your fruit in this…. in my life…AND I know that real fruit is only possible when it comes through You. So, I submit this… to You today, and I commit to bringing this to You each time it comes up…and ask for Your wisdom, Your power, Your life to direct, strengthen, refresh, abide in me. I want to bear fruit for Your kingdom; I want to do this together. Thank you for your life in me! Amen.