“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 (NKJV)
We all want to be fruitful in our lives. Jesus reminds us that there is only one way in which this can happen – through an intimate, ongoing relationship with Him.
I love the fact that Jesus promises the person who remains in intimate relationship with Him will bear much fruit. Notice the imperative here – “you will bear much fruit”. Not just a little bit of fruit but lots! Jesus promises that a life lived in Him, resting in Him not rushing away but lingering in Him – where He is our home – the place from which we live, is a life that is abundantly fruitful!
However, unless the branch is connected to the source of life and nutrients, it will just wither and die. It is crazy to think that a branch on its own separated from the rest of the vine would be able to bear fruit. Just as we are promised abundant fruitfulness in Him, so Jesus promises total lack of fruitfulness if we are not connected to Him.
It is all from Him, He is the only source of fruitfulness and He is the one that brings fruit in your life. God’s grace and love makes intimate relationship and fruitfulness possible – all you have to do is stay connected to Him.