John 15:6
We are nothing without Jesus. That sounds harsh, but sometimes our heart needs to be reminded of that. John 15:6 says, “If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.” This verse has very specific wording: if you do not remain in me. He is addressing Christians, those who call themselves followers. Sons and daughters in Christ. Believers. Children of God.
Imagine a video game console, but it’s not plugged in. It’s useless. If we don’t remain plugged into Jesus, we’re not going to show up for our family in the way that God has designed us to. If we rely on our own strength to teach our children or to be a good spouse, we are going to fail. If we don’t remain connected and growing in our relationship with Jesus, our efforts to love our family are useless. Our sinful nature, slowly, will creep in and distort how our families should function. Slowly but surely, the enemy will recognize the distance between you and Jesus and use that as an opportunity to tempt you. I know that sounds really discouraging, but it should serve as a reminder that God is the one working through us.
Oftentimes we can get really busy or even apathetic in our relationship with Jesus and we begin to coast. Sometimes, that means living a checkbox lifestyle where we just go through the motions. Sometimes, that means just literally living on a prayer and not doing anything to grow in our relationship with Him. This verse is clear that when we do not remain connected to Jesus, that we are like a branch that has broken off from a tree and withers away to die. It goes a step further to say that the dead branch gets thrown into the fire to burn.
If we get disconnected from the living God, spiritually, we will die. Take some time today to reflect on if you’re truly connected to Jesus. If you’re convicted, spend some time in repentance and ask Him to be with you and to ignite a flame in your heart to seek Him.
Imagine a video game console, but it’s not plugged in. It’s useless. If we don’t remain plugged into Jesus, we’re not going to show up for our family in the way that God has designed us to. If we rely on our own strength to teach our children or to be a good spouse, we are going to fail. If we don’t remain connected and growing in our relationship with Jesus, our efforts to love our family are useless. Our sinful nature, slowly, will creep in and distort how our families should function. Slowly but surely, the enemy will recognize the distance between you and Jesus and use that as an opportunity to tempt you. I know that sounds really discouraging, but it should serve as a reminder that God is the one working through us.
Oftentimes we can get really busy or even apathetic in our relationship with Jesus and we begin to coast. Sometimes, that means living a checkbox lifestyle where we just go through the motions. Sometimes, that means just literally living on a prayer and not doing anything to grow in our relationship with Him. This verse is clear that when we do not remain connected to Jesus, that we are like a branch that has broken off from a tree and withers away to die. It goes a step further to say that the dead branch gets thrown into the fire to burn.
If we get disconnected from the living God, spiritually, we will die. Take some time today to reflect on if you’re truly connected to Jesus. If you’re convicted, spend some time in repentance and ask Him to be with you and to ignite a flame in your heart to seek Him.
Posted in Devotional