Your Identity In Christ: Day 3- Pastor Josh Shook
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“You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in My name the Father will give you.”
John 15:16 (NIV)
In our devotional yesterday, we noted that fruit-bearing is always mentioned as the manifestation of an intimate union with Jesus Christ. It’s the supernatural consequence of friendship with Jesus. As Christ’s friend, you and I have the privilege of Divine help! The truth is none of us can produce fruit on our own. That’s why Jesus also referred to His followers as the branch and not the vine. He is the True Vine, who alone produces the fruit we are called to bear as a result of our union with Him. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit apart from the vine, we must remain connected in Christ if we are to bear fruit. The focus, then, is not our ability to produce fruit. Our responsibility is simply to respond to His ability to produce the fruit that glorifies the Father. What is that fruit? Some think of it as soul-winning, but it is so much more than that. The fruit we manifest is the very character and life of Jesus indwelling us. It is His likeness. If the character of Jesus cannot be seen in us, something is seriously wrong in our relationship with Him. In 1 John 2:5b-6 (NIV), John later wrote one of the tests for authentic faith when he said, “This is how we know we are in Him: Whoever claims to live in Him must live as Jesus did.”
That’s a daunting statement, isn’t it? How can we, who are flawed and sinful, ever live as Jesus did? We can’t, He never said we could, but He can and always said He would if we will abide in Him! That word, “abide” or “remain”, is used 11 times in the first 11 verses of John 15. It’s the keyword in this chapter. It’s the secret to being fruitful in life! What does it mean to "abide"? Author and Pastor Warren Wiersbe writes, “It means to keep in fellowship with Christ so that His life can work in and through us to produce fruit. This certainly involves the Word of God and the confession of sin so that nothing hinders our communion with Him (John 15:3). It also involves obeying Him because we love Him (John 15:9-10). … This abiding relationship is natural to the branch and the vine, but it must be cultivated in the Christian life. It is not automatic. Abiding in Christ demands worship, meditation on God's Word, prayer, sacrifice, and service—but what a joyful experience it is! Once you have begun to cultivate this deeper communion with Christ, you have no desire to return to the shallow life of the careless Christian.”
Let me ask you a personal question. Are you abiding in Jesus every moment of every day? Are there times the business of life so distracts you that you feel disconnected from Him? I want to say to you that is normal. We are all in training as Christ’s disciples. He will never leave us or forsake us. Jesus wants to teach us to abide in Him in every circumstance regardless of the situation. There is nothing we cannot bring to Him. When you are intentionally abiding in Him, you’ll find you will be fruitful in every season. He chose you to bear fruit!
Another important part of your daily devotional is spending time with God in prayer. The Woodlands Church Prayer Board lists prayer requests submitted by our members and provides a way to send them some encouragement by using a button on the page to let them know that you prayed for them. Whether you use the Prayer Board, or pray from your heart, the goal is to build the habit of incorporating prayer into your quiet time.
Need prayer yourself? Let us know by submitting a prayer request on the Woodlands Church Prayer Board.