Know, Grow, Show. Reflections From John 15Sample

DAY 9 - Disconnection

Verse 5 “.. apart from me you can do nothing”

This sounds like a strong statement. What does He mean by “nothing?” Let us break this sentence down some more.

The Greek word for “you can” is “dynasthe” which means to be powerful or have the power or the ability.

The Greek word for “do” is “poiein” which means to make, manufacture, construct, to act, or cause.

The Greek word for “nothing” is “ouden” which means, no one, none, nothing.

Therefore, the sentence translates as, I am powerless to do anything without Jesus. I am incapable of bearing fruit that resembles him if I am not attached to Him. I cannot have his DNA in me if I am not connected to Him, therefore cannot bear fruit that is in His likeness. I may bear other fruit in my life but not Jesus fruit.

To be disconnected would mean to get dismember-ed from the Vine. The analogy is two fold, individual, and corporate. This not only affects your relationship with Jesus but with one another as well. We are all a part of the body with many parts joined to each other and the head. We will look at this some more later.

This abiding is 24/7. It is not something we can or should switch on and off. We do not abide with Christ just on a Sunday morning and for 15 minutes every morning. We are abiding with Jesus at work, home, school, etc.  When I was a mother of young children with a church and business to manage, there was never any free time. My kitchen became the place where I met with God.  When I worked, I had worship music on and I could connect with the Holy Spirit as I bent over my art ( my business was hand-made greeting cards at the time)

We need to live from a Kingdom perspective in order to abide in Christ. This requires practice and intentionality. Jesus lived in constant commune with His Father. He did not do anything apart from His Father. Then He tells us to abide in Him in the same manner and tells us that apart from Him we can do nothing! In Acts 17:28 we are reminded that it is in Him we live, move, and have our being! 

It is about being God-conscious. He becomes our frame of reference for everything we do. 

It is a wonderful and secure way to live. When I live from His presence and act from His presence, I will begin to reflect His qualities. I have been made a new creation that has the ability to reflect His nature now. I will have God's thoughts, Christ-like thought patterns that think more about others than myself.

REFLECT AND ASK YOURSELF| 

Describe your relationship with Jesus. Is it relational or transactional?

Do I take Jesus to work with me or when I am with my friends?