Remain True

John 15:5-8 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me, and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”
 
ONE essential fact to know about Jesus’ preaching is that he does not compromise right and wrong. I know, to many of us, this is obvious. “He’s the Lord!” But in the church and in the world, many people attempt to compromise Jesus’ truth into their own desires. Or they speak of Jesus as if he is on the same level with historical philosophers or other religion leaders.
   As he often said, “Believe me when I say….” the Son of God set a firm line on truth boundaries. God so loved the world he sent Jesus to preach God’s true, living word. To be Jesus’ disciple, then, you need to go to Jesus, and you must stay with Jesus. “If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” Effective disciples bear fruit in the Spirit’s power to cause Kingdom change. They are God’s agents to redeem the world as the Spirit guides them.
   But even as we know this, our nature is to walk into our own preferences. We succumb to the lie, “You can do whatever you set your mind to do.” The trouble is, our minds often change, and we can go in many unfruitful directions. How could we consider a purposeful life possible apart from Jesus? After all, he is the one who came that we may have life and have it to the full? (from John 10:10)
   To separate yourself from Jesus, you are not his disciple; you are his opponent.
   Choice by choice away from the truth, we witness a growing fracture in our discipleship relationship. “Remain in Jesus” becomes, “Refrain from Jesus”. So know this: A Jesus discipleship life is to strive toward perfect obedience. Matthew 5:48 “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”  This is the Master setting the standard for you. The only way to live this full life is to remain in Jesus.
   Yes, Jesus knows you’ll make mistakes. You will sin in your walk with him. Yet, the Father has planted the Seed of Life into the world. The Seed has died. The new Vine is growing. The Spirit roots us in the Vine. The Holy Trinity is tending the vineyard to root and grow you into his holiness.
   Hear Jesus’ promise. Pray for faith, hope and love for your heart, so you consistently remain in his promise. Bear to the world God’s bounteous fruit. God will be praised. His name will be lifted high in your life. Why would you want anything less?