Know, Grow, Show. Reflections From John 15Chikamu

  

DAY 8 : RESULT OF REMAINING – GROWING

 Verse 5 - “If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit;” 

Fruitfulness is linked to my relationship with Jesus. It is not about how well I administer or create programs. It is not connected to my slick Sunday service. It has got nothing to do with trappings of modern-day Christianity.

It’s so simple to the point that we actually ignore it or miss it altogether. It’s about me “being” and not “doing”. The focus is on BEING, to begin with, and then the BECOMING will follow

Remain or BE and then you will BECOME fruitful.

This verse tells me that I bear fruit from abiding. I bear fruit as my relationship with Jesus grows. The more I draw from the main branch, the more fruit I bear.

Fruitfulness comes from intimacy and heart connection. Transformation comes from intimacy and heart connection.

Abiding or remaining will make us live from His presence and not just principles. The more I spend time with Jesus; I will catch his thoughts, his ways, and his heart on different issues of life. Like children who consciously or unconsciously imitate their parents' walk, expressions, and ways of doing things; we will soon begin to reflect Jesus in what we do and say.

John 5:39-40  “You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.”

When we come into his presence, we get a deeper revelation of who He is. Revelation transforms us, not information.  Knowledge of His word is only the gateway to Revelation. Then we want a deeper understanding and communion with Him.

Today is an invitation to go deeper with Jesus.

Obedience without love is cold, dry, and faithless. It will not produce healthy fruit. The Pharisees did that and it only made them blind to their sin and judgemental of everyone else. 

They could not see the heart of the Father in His actions, the compassion, and love with which He healed people, the grace with which he related to the sinners that drew them to repentance. 

Religion hides or prevents us from knowing the Father. Jesus came to reveal the Father. When we abide close to Him we will also know the Father because He and the Father are ONE (John 14:11). He tells us all about that in Chapter 14:23. If we love Him and obey Him, the Father will love us.

REFLECT AND ASK YOURSELF| 

What can you do to go deeper in your relationship with Jesus?

Ask yourself whether your “Quiet Time” has been duty or delight. Start making some real, honest conversations with Jesus. Trust me he will not be shocked. He already knows!

Do you want to know Jesus more? Spend time with Him and listen to Him speak to you. Write down what he says. He has wonderful things to say to you.