Bible Study - John 15:5-17
- Read John 15:5-17
-
Fruit of distinction
- Most fruit growers will know that the root stock for a bush or tree
will influence its overall nature. Yesterday, we saw that we are not
alone. We are not expected to be alone. We must be one with Jesus. Yet
how often do we attempt to do things in our own strength? We may have
grand ideas of what we want to do or achieve but we do not offer them
to God for his blessing or redirection. It's like a vine branch
saying, I want to bear plums or, worse still, I'll bear fruit on my
own without the root stock. It can't be done! We have been created
by God to live in union with him, not in isolation
- In v.7, Jesus says that we can ask for whatever we wish and it will
be given to us. That is not to say that, as vine branches, we can ask
to bear plums and it will happen. Jesus is telling us that if we are
firmly grafted into him and seek our strength and nourishment from him,
we are truly part of the vine and our prayers and wishes will be in
harmony with the vine. Personal ambition and aspirations are then
transformed into fruit of distinction that brings praise and glory to
God.
- To think about
- 1. If you describe your life as fruit from the vine, what marks it
as distinctive? Quality, quantity or something else? Do you truly
represent what the vine has to offer?
- 2. How can you avoid becoming one of the branches that is lopped
off and thrown in the fire? (v.6)
- Prayer
- Lord God, help me to draw deeply from the root source of your love
that my life produces fruit worthy of you.