"I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:5)
Jesus is talking about connection, the co-joining of our life with his through faith in him. The instant someone repents of their sin and invites Jesus into their life they become connected to him with the potential to produce much fruit in the Kingdom of God. However this potential can only become reality if the connection between Jesus & them remains strong -- those who remain (set, fixed and continuing on) in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit
What can we do, as a Christian, to ensure our connection with the vine (Jesus) remains strong and fruitful – is set, fixed and continuing on -- irrespective of the storms of life?
Make sure our heart is connected to God’s heart -- two hearts beating as one.
When our hearts are connected to God’s heart, fruitfulness is the result. Those who remain (set, fixed and continuing on) in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit -- a two way connection of heart to heart.
In a military sense when one joins the armed forces they:
- Give away their right to live life as they pleased
- Take an oath of service which binds them to the disciplines of the branch of the military they had joined.
- Obey commands without question
When one signs on to serve in the military of their own free will, they have, in effect, given their life, their allegiance and heart to others. They have surrendered their lives in trust and obedience to those in command.
Christianity is like this, it is about surrendering one’s life to Christ -- living a life in relationship with him on his terms and conditions -- the way He chooses the relationship to work – it’s about the surrender of our will to the will of God.
Such a relationship can only succeed and bear fruit if there is a two way connection of heart to heart. God has given his heart completely to us, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life”. (John 3:16) Our response ought to be the same.
Unless our heart is firmly connected to Gods – unless we have given it to him to do with as he wills – no matter how much we learn or understand about him, we will always be ruled by our own desires, needs and spirit. But when He owns our heart we will be responsive to his leading, pliable in his hands and live a life that honours the kingdom of God.
If we are to be those who remain (set, fixed and continuing on) in him, and he in us, so that we produce much fruit, how well our hearts are connected to God’s heart matters.
Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do. (Pr. 4:23 NLT)
What can we do, as a Christian, to ensure our connection with the vine (Jesus) remains strong and fruitful – is set, fixed and continuing on -- irrespective of the storms of life?
Make sure our heart is connected to God’s heart = two hearts beating as one.
Pastor Richard Doherty