Thu, Oct 1st - 10:47PM

THE VINE AND THE BRANCHES - ABIDING IN CHRIST

JOHN 15:4-5 --Abide in me, and I in you, as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.  5... I am the vine, ye are the branches:  He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit:  for without me ye can do nothing. kjv

As believers, we know the corner stone of our faith is focus on Jesus Christ.  Yet many of us find ourselves working overtime to please God through our good works and righteous behavior.  Spiritual and physical burnout is the inevitable result.  People are not meant to live the Christian life in their own strength.

Scriptures tells us to abide in Christ, just as a branch connects to the vine.  Believers who abide in the Lord no longer exist for themselves, but rather live for Him.  Then we cease striving after righteousness and instead submit to God, allowing Him to live His life through us.  In this way, the strength and energy that characterize the life of Jesus Christ become ours.

As we yield our entire being to God and abide in Christ, He conforms our thoughts to His will and purpose--our minds and bodies are prepared to sesrvice in His kingdom. God has a valuable role for everyone committed to doing His work.

Too often we become ensnared by the question, "What does God want me to do?"  We wait for an answer, refusing to act until He responds.  But obediently abiding in the Lord does not mean we sit around soaking up Scripture while doing nothing.  Instead, we trust Him to guide us, leading us into the world to do what needs doing, whether it's teaching a Sunday School class, visiting the sick, or sharing our faith with the commuter riding with us on the train, bus, car or where ever we may be everyday.  The righteous acts aren't designed to earn God's approval;  rather, they are the natural outworkings of a Christ-abiding life.

With God's Love,

Lois