Daily Devotion: John 15

The Vine and the Branches

⁴Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

⁵"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. ⁶If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. ⁷If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. ⁸This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

Many times we have the wrong mindset of what a Christian should be. We often think of Christians as weak, not a fighter, quiet, simple life...etc. Far too often we never thought that a Christian would be someone who is successful (or even rich) and is a striking role model at a high level. Someone who can balance between God's work and marketplace work. And often we think that God wants it this way... WRONG!

God wants us to be successful! (vs. 8)... but there is a post condition. Successful for what? Read on in Vs. 8 and it says that "showing yourselves to be my disciples"

God wants us to be successful so that we can show the world that we are His disciples! So that we can lead people to glorify Jesus! So that people and us can praise God the provider!

However, Jesus know that it is very difficult to balance between being successful in the world and also serving passionately in church. That's why this passage of scripture teaches us a basic biblical truth to embrace in that rough journey.

The solution is: "Remain in Him"

What does "Remaining in Him" means? Well, it simply means putting and considering Jesus first in all things and obeying his Word. Be it decision making, doing our work, talking to people, responding to people.... etc. We "remain in Him" by putting Jesus first and not ourselves.

Application:

1. Are there any major decisions you have to make this week? Instead of planning and strategizing how the decision could profit yourself or your organisation, why not pray and ask God how you can honor Him and remain in Him through this decision.

2. Are there any "hard teachings" that the Lord is prompting you to follow despite your dislike? Make a deliberate choice to remain in Him and follow through.

3. Involve one of your brother / sister in the cell group as an accountability buddy to check on you on remaining in God this week.