John 15- True Vine and Branches

True Vine and Branches

We understand it is not our good deeds that bring us salvation, but salvation does require a action steps of faith like the bleeding woman (Matthew 9:20-22) following Christ unlike the rich man (Matthew 19:16-30) and most importantly over all else is grace from God (Ephesians 2:8). You must believe that Jesus is the son of God and was God in the flesh. And once that has been done, we do as Christ said with being born again of water and spirit (John 3:5).

But then what? After I accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior and follow him, can I sit on the couch and watch TV all day? Can I just hang out on social media and keep up with the Kardashians? I don't think that is the best way to serve God, by inactivity. When you love you serve. Serving is a way to show that Jesus is working through us. 

When he said "I am the true vine" Jesus was telling you that when you are connected to him (the true vine) which is cared for by God (the vinedresser) you will be pruned when producing fruit in order to produce more fruit. But if the branch (us) is not producing fruit, God takes it away.

The fruit is the proof that you follow Christ. How do you serve or do you serve at all? Do you love people? That is the fruit. The actions that you do out of love for people by following Christ. We have seen numerous examples of his heart and humility, purpose and service. Follow him and his example.

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Matthew 21:31- The Two Sons

Matthew 21:31 "...Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you." commentary- Once again we talk about what is fair and what is not. Jesus tells a parable of two sons. One is told to go work in the vineyard and he said no initially and then later changed his mind and went and did as he was told. The second son was told to go work in the vineyard and said he would, but did not. 

Even though the first son initially denied his fathers orders, he later changed his mind and did as he was instructed. Isn't this just like those who initially are told by God what to do, and how to live, say no, but then later become obedient to God's word? Even for those of us who have already accepted Christ as our personal Lord and Savior can still be disobedient, but we can a;lways make the choice to go back to doing what God wanted us to.

For those of us who say we will follow God's word and seek to be obedient and then do not, then we have lost our way. We become the second son who says he will obey but then does not. 

On a personal note, we sell ourselves out for so many things from sports, to understanding money and investing to gossip columns to food (foodies), but do we sell out for God? Do we really commit daily to Him as we do our routines? God isn't saying don't be dedicated to your work or your family, but He is saying "don't put that before me."