John 15:1-17
Friday, 03 January 2025
“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.” -John 15:5
Abiding in Christ pertains to believers who have invited Christ into their lives— to be their Saviour and Lord. Then comes the realization: “…it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” So here starts a life of faith in the abiding presence of Christ in us.
In our reading today, we see the heart of Jesus who longs to have an intimate relationship with His disciples whereby their response to Him would be out of love and not force. He desires the same of us- He does not want us to come to Him ritualistically but reach out to Him relationally.
Jesus expressed His love for you and me by laying down His life for us (V.13). He laid down His life so you and I can have a deeper relationship with Him. See how Jesus calls us His friends! (V.14)
Now it’s your turn to reciprocate! How?
Live in Him [Vs 4,5&6]: Jesus wants us to be satisfied in our communion with Him and not look for other things or people of the world to satisfy us or make our lives more exciting. We read in Romans 1:25 that the world replaced “the Creator with created things.” The only way our life could become effective and productive is when we dwell in Him. Our intimate friendship with Him is the essence of all good things and blessings in our lives. But if we let the things of the world take His place, then our love for Him would become cold and slowly numb our relationship with Him. We then will slowly dry up like a branch that’s only good enough to be cut off and used for a bonfire (V.6).
Remain in His Word [V.7]: All through Scripture we see a demarcation between people who obeyed God’s word and who didn’t. After the death of King David there arose a number of kings who spurned the laws and commands of God, leading the whole nation into sin. Then arose a young King Josiah (2 Chron. 34) who renewed his relationship with God by making a decision to listen to all that God had to say to him and his people. Renewed relationship with God always leads to regenerated hearts of men, that heed to the voice of the Lord. This leads to two like-minded people— God and you! He longs to do what you want Him to and you long to do what He wants you. That’s why Jesus in this verse says “You ask what you wish and it will be given to you.” Isn’t that a great friendship?
Continue in His Love [V.10]: The world looks for this love in all the wrong places. Romans 5: 8 says: “God demonstrated His love….” We need to be looking at Jesus who demonstrated His love for humankind when He gave His life on Calvary, which is the greatest kind of love found. His life given in exchange to win us to Him! Having received this love, He commands us to love others (V.12). The best test to know if we still are friends of Jesus is to see if we practice 1 John 4:20 in our life: ‘If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?’
Are we practising the above principles? Many are called to be His, but only a few are chosen. He has set His eyes on you. How will you respond?
Thought for the Day: Without Christ, not one step; with Him, anywhere! ~ David Livingstone
Listen: 'Christ be in my waking'
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