John 15:5-8 (NKJV)
5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.
It is all about relationships. Our relationship with Christ is the most important. Without that relationship, we can do nothing. God is so concerned about relationships that He gave us the Ten Commandments which tell us how to relate to Him and each other. We must stay connected.
Jesus uses an analogy to explain how we need to remain connected to Him. When we do, we receive the nourishment needed to bear fruit just as a branch needs to be connected to the vine that supports it. Jesus is our support. He is the source of all good things. When we are separated from Him, we wither and die off. When we remain in Him, we will bear much fruit. That fruit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control from Galatians 5:22-23. Isn’t that the kind of fruit you want to bear? How do we do that? By remaining in Jesus.
To remain in Jesus is to keep Him in the foreground of your mind. It means that you ask and answer the question “what would Jesus do?” If you take the time to think about His ways, you will improve your life because you will be walking in those ways. Now I know we don’t always do what Jesus would do. I know I am not the Son of God and do not have His strength to always do the right thing. But God is not looking for perfection. He is looking for someone who is trying to follow Him. He is looking for those who hold Him in their hearts. He is looking for you! Even a little faith in Jesus will turn you, however slowly, in His direction.
I have several friends that remind me of this process today. They walk with the Lord and follow His ways. Are they perfect in that walk? No! But, as I said, the Lord is not looking for perfection. My one friend is a Pastor. He lives a life that shows what it means to follow a Risen Lord. He welcomes people and loves them. He was listening when Jesus said love your neighbor as yourself. The others are a husband and wife team. They heard the part about caring for widows and orphans (God wants us to care for everyone). They are always aware of the needs of people around them. A kind word here, and invitation there and comfort and support for those around them. They abide in the Lord and he has caused much fruit to come forth from them. The seeds they have planted have blessed many and brought much glory to God. Many different positive Ministries have been started by these two to the blessing of many. God is glorified when we do things for others. He is certainly glorified in them. And they have been such a blessing to me.
So, how should you live your life? You should remain in Jesus and His ways. There are many more examples of people who remain in Him and are a blessing to those around them. Shouldn’t you live that way? What stands between you and a blessed life and a life of blessing? If you are anything like me, all that gets in the way is yourself. Step outside yourself today! God has untold blessings stored up for you. They are already on the shelf with your name on them. He has peace for you. He has joy for you. Do you want them? Then abide in Him and watch Him bring these out of His storehouse and bestow them upon you. May the Lord bless you richly today!
May 24 “The Lord bless you and keep you;
25 The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you;
26 The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.”’ Numbers 6:24-26 (NKJV) Amen!