"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. 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." John 15:4-5
If you are abiding in Christ, you are reproducing yourself in thousands of instances when you are wholly unaware of it. Out of the personal relationship between the soul and Christ come the fruits of holy living. The vine does not bear fruit of itself ~ it bears its fruit through the branches. Our unconscious influence therefore becomes far more fruitful than our conscious influence.
In the last great day many will bewail that they have accomplished so little, and, looking at the scanty results, will say, "When saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? Or thirsty, and gave thee drink?" (Matthew 25:37). They'll find that unconsciously their lives had abounded in fruits well-pleasing in the Master's highest joy! It is when the whole body of Christ becomes instinct with His Spirit that the world is made conscious of His divine headship over the church.
May you always be mindful that Christ is the vine, and God is the gardener who cares for the branches to make them fruitful. The branches are we, those of us who claim to be followers of Christ through redemption. Let us not become unproductive in producing more fruit Christians!
When you do what pleases God ~
God is pleased with you.
Love in Christ Jesus, Sandy |
