Staying Put.

In John 15, Jesus uses the analogy of a vine and branches to describe our optimal relationship with Him and His Father, our God. God, as Gardener, is the One who has provided expert care. In His great love He has given us Jesus, the Only Son, so that we might experience abundant life in and through Him. In turn, Jesus has given us His Spirit, the One through which we are encouraged in the faith, reminded of the Truth, and warned not to falter nor wander.

Our pastor shared with us that, as Christians, our residence is in Christ through His Spirit. It is the place where we are fed and trained and pruned for optimal growth. Our role in the process is to be obedient, fully submitted to the will of God. What has He said through our Christ? "Remain in Me and I will remain in you." (see John 15:4)

Pastor Joy spoke of the passage in Galatians 5 where we find a list of the fruit of the Spirit, those character traits that demonstrate our connection to Christ. These are traits that the believer expresses to friends, enemies, and strangers. Why? Because we love in the same way that our Lord loves.

It is the act of remaining in Christ that gives us courage and power to live like Him even when in an environment that shows Him hatred and distrust. Pastor Joy gave the example of persons who, though they work and live in difficult circumstances, faithfully display the fruit of the Spirit as a testimony of God's goodness and greatness. Our remaining in Christ does not mean that life will be easy, but in the midst of challenges it is still a life of rest in Him.

Pastor Joy also noted that, in classic demonic fashion, there are those who linger in the vineyard though their lives indicate that they are not connected to Christ. That is, there is no evidence of His character in them. This was reflected upon in yesterday's blog, but I'd like to remind us that Galatians 5 also contains a second list of characteristics: the traits of those who do not display the fruit of the Spirit. As has been said many times, there is no grey area: either we are in Christ, supporting His agenda with our whole beings, or we are subverting His agenda and purpose through our choice to live by ourselves instead of living in Him.

For today, then, let us reflect on the Galatians passage prayerfully, asking the question our pastor asked us: "Where do I reside?"

Lord, help us to cling to You, our True Vine. Help us to authentically renounce the works of the flesh and to remain attached to You, that we might authentically display the fruit of the Spirit. Amen.

Galatians 5: 13-26

For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity to indulge your flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law can be summed up in a single commandment, namely, “You must love your neighbor as yourself.” However, if you continually bite and devour one another, beware that you are not consumed by one another. 

But I say, live by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desires of the flesh. For the flesh has desires that are opposed to the Spirit, and the Spirit has desires that are opposed to the flesh, for these are in opposition to each other, so that you cannot do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 

Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, depravity, idolatry, sorcery, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish rivalries, dissensions, factions, envying, murder, drunkenness, carousing, and similar things. I am warning you, as I had warned you before: Those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God!

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also behave in accordance with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, being jealous of one another.