Cling to the Vine

            One of the main reasons for all of the turmoil in our world today is that people have lost their connection to God.  This is so because they’ve chosen to go it alone or because others are making a relationship with God very difficult.  Much of the modern philosophy being published on TV, or the radio, or in magazines, or books is extremely anti-religion of any kind. 

            This is nothing new.  In fact, it was this attitude and mindset that led to the first sin (and all others afterwards).  Selfish, greedy minds need to blame others for all of their problems and frustrations.  If you don’t believe me, just listen to someone talk about the “other” drivers they encounter on the roadways (or even the customers they have to put up with at work).  All of this is evidence that the connection to God has been frayed or severed.

            Jesus warned His disciples of this danger on the night He was betrayed.  The allegory of the Vine and the Branches (John 15) expresses His concern for their spiritual safety.  In this story, He emphasizes the extreme importance of staying connected to God through Him.  Judas has just  become disconnected from the vine (Jesus) and there is the risk that the others might fall to the same temptation (Peter will, 3 times before dawn).  Therefore, He warns that the only way to remain alive and viable is to strive to remain connected to Him – even in the midst of severe persecution and strong temptation.

            Mark Moore mentions three ways in which we abide (or remain) in God’s love through Christ (from The Chronological Life of Christ, volume 2, p. 239-240):

            1.  We must hang on to the words of Jesus (John 15:7).  Bible study, memorization,

                        preaching, teaching fills our minds with the Word of Christ.

            2.  We must remain constant in prayer (John 15:7).  Through faithful petitions to God we                          are granted the faith and endurance needed to cling to the Vine (God/Jesus).

            3.  We must be busy obeying God’s commands (1 John 2:3-6).  Doing this will enable us                           to free ourselves of the sin that is the real culprit for all of life’s problems.

            Spend some quality time looking closely at Jesus’ words in this allegory.  Our desire is to do what we can to correct life’s problems and this can only be accomplished successfully by abiding in Him.  God is calling each of us to commit and dedicate our souls to this cause.  With each other’s help and encouragement, God can work tremendous things in and through us.

Doug