In John 15 Jesus uses the picture of a vine and branch to describe what it means to be in a relationship with Him. Christianity is about a personal relationship not about doing a checklist of things and not being a bad person. In John 15 Jesus is stressing the importance of this relationship using this picture we see in nature everyday.
Yesterday we looked at the importance of prayer and the word of God in regards to abiding in Jesus. It is the 2 way connection that is needed to have a relationship with our Lord and Savior. Today we look at an essential part of reading the word of God. Let's read our passage again.
John 15:1-11 ESV - “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. [2] Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. [3] Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. [4] Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. [5] I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. [6] If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. [7] If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. [8] By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. [9] As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. [10] If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. [11] These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
In two places in this passage we see the words of Jesus or His commandments mentioned. The first reference in verse 3 tells us that the words He speaks make us clean. It is through belief in His promise to us that we are made righteous and right before God (clean). John 3:16 says it best - for God so loved the world that he gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. It is our faith in Jesus that makes us clean (justifies us) before God.The second reference is in verse 10 and it tells us that by keeping Jesus' commandments we will be abiding in His love. We see in verse 10 that obedience is part of abiding.
Here is what we learn today. We cannot just read the word and agree with it that it is true, we must read the word with the intention of obeying the word of God. It is by obedience to the word that we show that we trust in His goodness, His truth, His love, and His grace for us.
James 1:19-25 ESV - Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; [20] for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. [21] Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. [22] But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. [23] For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. [24] For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. [25] But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.
James says that we must not just hear the word but we must do it also. If we hear the word and do not obey the word we are like a man who looks in the mirror and forgets what he looks like. A person who hears the word but does not obey is like a person who looks in the mirror and sees their hair is all messed up and their shirt and pants do not match and does nothing about it and goes out in public anyway.
What this tells us is that the word is like a mirror that reflects back to us who we really are. When we really begin to see who we are at our core it should make us run to Jesus and rest in His grace and mercy.
Here is our challenge today -
James 1:25 - But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.
Be blessed in your doing of the word.
Today I want you to pray about your own walk with God. I encourage us to tell God that we know we are who the bible says we are. We are sinners saved by the grace of God through Jesus Christ. Pray that God will reveal sin in your life and when He does promise to repent of it. Pray that God will use the bible as a mirror to show us where we need to be obedient in order to become more like Christ.
Pray also that God will use the bible to show us how much He loves us. Pray that God will show you that no matter what your failures are that the grace of God is greater than your failures. Pray that as you read the bible that it will come alive and that you will hide it in your heart. Pray this verse and mean it. Memorize this verse today.
Psalm 119:11 ESV - I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you
