ICS Daily Devotions
Abide in Me
John 15:4-5 (NKJV) Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
We need to know that we are attached to Jesus, the grape vine and we are the branches in order for us to be able to produce the correct kind of fruits in our lives. We used to operate in the sin nature when we were sinners so our flesh is used to it. The fleshly reactions are fed by our senses. We react based on the sense of sight, sound, smell, touch and taste. We behave ourselves and speak out of the resources of our hearts. We will do better in the aspect of our words and actions as we continue to grow in the Lord.
We will bear good fruit when we abide in Him as He abides in us. Let us refresh our minds that we are a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17) in Christ. We are given a new heart or our spirit being is completely new. We have the nature of God in the new creation (2 Peter 1:3-4). The old sin nature has been done away with, therefore we have the nature of God which is the new resource in our lives.This new resource is found in our hearts where the new creation is located. We are able to produce good fruit because we are connected to the correct vine. Jesus is the vine and we are the branches. We are able to produce much fruit in our lives whether it is in works, lifestyle or the way we speak when we choose to abide in Christ.
These are very powerful truths that the Lord has chosen to reveal to us through scriptures. We are born again after we have chosen to acknowledge that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior. This happens after we have confessed with our mouths and believe in our hearts. The new creation is in the heart or “the hidden man” as the Bible says (1 Peter 3:4 KJV). God has given us EVERYTHING that pertains to life and godliness because we have the nature of God. Therefore, this new life in Christ will enable us to live a godly life in holiness including getting a grip on our lips and tongues. There is fresh water flowing out of us! It brings life and blessing to the people around us!
Sermon Series – Ouch! It Hurts!
