A Whole New Life

Tuesday, September 16

John 15:5 (NKJV)

“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.”

Devotion

When Jesus spoke to His disciples about the vine and the branches, meaning abiding in Him, it was a revolutionary concept. Until then, the Spirit of God in the Old Testament rested upon people but never dwelt inside. Now Jesus, whom they called the Messiah, Immanuel, the Son of God, proposed to "dwell inside them." This was entirely new!

The word "abide" in this text means to remain or continue. So it reads, "He who remains or continues in Me, and I in them, will bear much fruit." This describes a union—not separate or distant, but connected as one. As the life of the vine flows into and through a branch, so does Christ in the born-again believer. The more life flows into the branch, the more fruit is produced. A branch cannot bear fruit alone; if severed from the vine, it withers and dies. So are we without Christ: no life, no fruit—just a dried-up branch.

When a person accepts Christ into their heart, immediately, His life transforms the former self into a new being. Life flows. The Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." Out with the old, in with the new—things that bear His likeness. He produces fruit like the Spirit's: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, etc. (Galatians 5:22-23). If we're struggling to produce, tap into the Vine. Jesus said clearly, "Apart from Me, you can do nothing." He desires to produce fruit; we are saved to serve. People in our circles are waiting to be reached. If we stretch out in faith and remain in the Vine, prepare for "a whole new"!

Today's Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, I surrender to Your will. I don't want to live without You. Show me areas needing reconnection to You. Grant a new perspective of Your will and expectation for my future. I know You can do more than I imagine. I thank You and choose Your life. In Jesus' name.

Apply It Today

Take inventory. Which areas need a jumpstart or resurrection? In prayer, surrender them to Him, opening your heart's gate. Commit to the process—pruning may occur. Let His life flow, replacing old with new vision, hope, and His purpose for those areas.

Resources

• It’s every believer’s duty to serve their generation in the will of God. You must allow God to spend your life for His purpose! Be encouraged by the message, Living to Be Spent.

• Take time to worship and thank God for His goodness. Be reminded of His love for those that have lost hope as you listen to “There Is Room”.