Staying Connected To God

In JOHN Ch 15 we read the last of Jesus' "I am" statements where he claims to be "the true vine". This is a message for believers on what a relationship with Jesus is all about and a visual picture to help people avoid going off in their own strength. Today we will look at some of the key points from JOHN Ch 15 v 1 - 17.

• The purpose of the vine and also of the believer is to bear fruit (v 2). Fruit is outlined in GALATIONS 5 v 22 - 23; "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control".
  
  
• To test your Christianity you need to measure your own life against these nine Christ-like characteristics to see if you are bearing fruit.
  
  
• v 8 says we show that we are disciples of Jesus if we bear fruit. This brings glory to God.
  
  
• Jesus says in v 10 that to love him is to obey his commands. 2 JOHN 1 v 6 confirms "And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands". Notice it is commands, not commandments.
  
  
• In v 14 Jesus calls those who do this "friends". That is a personal statement and a much different relationship to that of a servant.

Jesus made us so we would enter into a personal relationship with him. The vine and the branches illustrates this and serves as a warning to not go it alone. If your Christian walk appears to have come to a halt then remember the warning from v 5; "apart from me you can do nothing".