May 13 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!” we proclaim. But in the church and in the world, many people attempt to form his truth into their own desires.
   See Jesus’ sure words. With, “I tell you the truth.” And as he often said, “Believe me when I say….” the Son of God sets 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 go to Jesus and stay with Jesu. “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, cause kingdom change in the Spirit’s power. They are God’s agents to redeem the world. How could we consider this possible apart from Jesus? To purposely disconnect yourself from Jesus, you are not his disciple.
   I know this may seem too harsh. But Jesus says it is “the truth”. Why is it we, the church of Christ, struggle so mightily? The truth is, life is always a struggle without the Savior. Yes, we say and act as if we want to know the Bible. But what happens? Unfortunately, we decide what to receive and dismiss. Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth and the Life.”  (John 14:6) because he is.
   Still we rebel. “But I like my way!” Choice by choice away from the truth, we witness a growing fracture in our discipleship relationship. “Remain in Jesus” becomes “refrain from Jesus”.
   Know this: A Jesus discipleship life is to strive for perfect obedience. Matthew 5:48 “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” This is to be your desire and goal. This is Jesus’ ideal your life. The only way to live this way is to remain in Jesus.
   Yes, Jesus knows you’ll make mistakes. You will sin in your walk with him. Yet, he is the True Vine. The Father has planted the Seed of Life. The Seed has died. The new Vine is growing. The Spirit roots us in the Vine. The Holy Trinity has acted to root you in the Son.
   Hear Jesus’ promise. Remain in his promise. Bear a bounty of fruit. God will be praised. His name will be lifted high in your life. Why would you want anything less?   
 
Prayer: Lord God, I pray you remove from me anything that cuts me off from Jesus. I want to be a faithful discipled, glorifying your name. Amen.