Bearing Much Fruit

“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)

When Jesus says we can do "nothing" without Him, He's not suggesting we are unable to do things independently, just nothing of eternal or spiritual significance. It is quite possible for us to set and reach goals, to make names for ourselves, or even to become successful without God. Empires, nations, fortunes, and great legacies have been built by folks who have never taken a second to acknowledge the Lord, and many magnanimous feats have been accomplished without a single prayer being lifted to heaven. 

 

Jesus, though, is looking toward the day when the works and words of every man and woman will be judged according to God’s holy standard — and His standard is Christ. Nothing short of perfection will withstand His white-hot scrutiny. The sharp two-edged sword that proceeds from His mouth will separate the worthy from the worthless, and the things He did through us from all we did in our own strength. In other words, things that some count as "something," Jesus counts as "nothing."

 

" . . . let us make three tabernacles; one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah" - not knowing what he said. (Matthew 17:4) 

 

Some, like Peter, suppose Jesus is pleased with our earnest efforts to do good and make a difference in the world in His name, but that is a grave error. Peter sought to do what he considered a great and noble thing, yet the thing he should have done was to be quiet and listen — "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!" (Matthew 17:5) 

 

We must learn to wait on the Lord, to be still, and hear Him clearly. Our "work" is to abide in Jesus, and that takes much more time and effort than we first thought. Be still today and wait, because you can do nothing good without Him; but be encouraged, because all good things are possible with Him. 

 

"He who abides in Me, and I in Him, bears much fruit . . ." 

 

Let's Pray - Dear God, I fully realize Your ways are superior to mine. Every day, I will ask You to fill me with the knowledge of Your will. I humble myself in Your sight. Amen.