“Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit.”
John 15:2
John 15:2
I have heard it said that men get their sense of value from what they do; women derive a sense of value from who they are. Maybe that’s why men struggle so much with Christianity. Religion is doing with the hope it will lead to spiritual being. Life in Christ is being that leads to doing.
When you think about it, a branch doesn’t “do” very much. It bears fruit completely as a function of its attachment to the vine. We so misrepresent Christianity when we focus on “do’s” and “don’t.” What we have to offer is a relationship to Christ from which good things spout; yet we insist on conveying the idea that we must do good things to deserve Christ. We “know” we could never do enough; but that doesn’t stop us from preaching it. By focusing on works, we detract from the relationship that makes it possible.
Consider being afraid of God instead of having a fear of God. If we are afraid of God we want to run from Him to avoid being in His presence. Our fear arises from our observation that next to Him we are completely unholy and unworthy.
Fear of God, instead, recognizes the greatness and awesomeness of God, including His marvelous love and provision for us. That fear draws us to Him. We want to be connected to such a marvelous being although we approach with awe and humility.
It’s a great thing to be a branch. It’s not based on what we do; but on what He did and, by His action, who we are.
Nick
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