September 19, 2023 – Tuesday
John 15:5-8 1599 GNV
5 I am that vine: ye are the branches: he that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me can ye do nothing.
6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and withereth: and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they burn.
7 [b]If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask what ye will, and it shall be done to you.
8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit, and be made my disciples.
John 15:5-8 NIV
5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.
8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
Comments
Once again Jesus makes clear He is the vine, and we (Christians, His followers) are the branches. He also reminds us not only do we abide in Him, but He also abides in us. This is absolutely necessary if we are to bear any fruit as without Him, apart from Him, we cannot bear fruit.
Someone can fake it and fool us that he or she is saved and even give the appearance of bearing fruit. However, they cannot fool God for He sees the heart and searches the heart. He knows the truth. And if it were not a true, real repentance and acceptance of Jesus as Lord and Savior, then that individual is not in Christ and Christ is not in him or her. That person becomes like a branch thrown away that withers and is eventually thrown into the fire. Not what would want to happen to anyone mush less ourselves.
The GNV has the following note at the beginning of verse 7, He abideth in Christ, which resteth in his doctrine, and therefore bringeth forth good fruit: And the Father will deny such an one nothing. That seems like a caution when reading verse 7, GNV 7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask what ye will, and it shall be done to you or NIV 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. Obviously, this is not some ‘name it and claim it’ type of verse. No, it is speaking of asking whatever you wish within God’s will and then only if you abidr in Jesus and His words abide in you.
As we abide in Jesus and His words abide in us, we will end up bearing much fruit. Two things result, we show ourselves to Jesus that we are His disciples which is to the Father’s glory. Disciples of Christ bearing much fruit glorifies the Father. It is the Father that is glorified, not us, not our church or some organization we are part of. The Father is glorified. Why is this? Because the glory comes back to the one who cares for the vine!
Bottom Line: The glory for all the fruit we bear goes to the Father and we are simply honored to bear fruit that glorifies Him.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, While we abide in Jesus’ words, let us bear much fruit bringing glory to Your name and not to us. – In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
RileyD, nwJ
Riley D. Driver – Pastor
Calvary Chapel of Dayton
in Beavercreek