Today's Scripture
John 15:1-10 Strong Roots
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. 2 He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. 3 You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. 6 Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.
RJ's Devotion
What does the passage say?
V. 1-2 The vinegrower prunes to bear fruit.
V. 3-5 Abiding in the Lord is to key to bear fruit.
V. 6-7 Our life cannot bear fruits when we are disconnected to the Lord.
V. 8-9 By abiding in Christ, not only that we will bear fruit, but also we will share in the loving covenant of our Lord.
What does this passage mean to me/us?
Yesterday, I grabbed lunch with my family at my new favorite Mexican Hamburger joint. We were seated outside on a bench, with two young people.
It was hard to ignore their conversation when they were talking about God. One of the young male, who seems like he had done lots of research about God, Bible, and other religions, was talking with passion why he thinks there is no reason to go to church, but just read the Bible and follow what it says.
He was presenting many points of views, along with some false information, proving his point to his friend, who seemed to be in the process of discovering too.
When we finished our meal, and as we were about to leave, I approached them and said, “I’m a pastor, and I just couldn’t pass by. Thank you for your sincerity to search the truth. On behalf of the church, I apologize what we have done wrong, but there is more to what God is asking to church to do, and we failed to share it well. And keep searching, what fulfills your understanding of God is not knowledge, it is a relationship.”
They thanked me for sharing that word, and we set apart.
As I reflect on this passage, I see how many people are disconnected but still searching.
There might be some who are searching in the wrong (I do have to say misled) directions, while there might be some who ignores the fact that they need to be connected.
In this world, how can we share the truth and joy of being connected to Christ?
That only through Christ, we will bear fruit, and anything else that we bear away from him is to be thrown away?
The answer might be obvious, but it is to be more connected to our Lord. When we truly ‘abide in the Love of our Lord’ (v. 9), we pray that the love of Jesus will flow out to the world, and eventually connect with the world.
Prayer
Lord, draw us closer to you. May we abide in your everlasting love. Help the world to take part of your love that bears fruit in our lives today. In Christ name, we pray, AMEN.
Click to subscribe to our Daily Devotion.
You will receive a devotion in your inbox every morning.