Daily Devotional For Monday, August 25, 2025

Good morning and if you are back to work, I wish God’s blessings on you. Tomorrow, all the kids in traditional schools go back to school. So, roads and traffic will be heavier than usual with all the school buses and parents in cars with their children taking them to school. Connections – we have them and love them. We have some by birth – our family. We have some by choice – our family, spouse, fellow employees, neighbors and church friends. Connections are very important in sustaining us emotionally, relationally and spiritually.

Jesus reminds us of this in John 15:5,”I am the Vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing” (NASB). Jesus uses an agricultural analogy to make His point. You take any branch and cut it off, it does not continue to live, grow and produce fruit. It dies. Jesus’ analogy of a grapevine would get anyone’s attention back then. The grapevine was a symbol of national life. The grapevine appeared on Jewish coins and was just a powerful symbol as our stars and stripes. In fact, a huge gold grapevine decorated the gates of the Temple. 

“Abide” – it is the Greek New Testament word [μένω, meno]. What does this mean? In a grapevine, there is sap that runs between the vine and the branches. This seems to be symbolic of the Holy Spirit. So, remaining in Christ means to remain in the life-giving source of the Holy Spirit. This means we will not rely on our own strength to do things; instead we will depend on Christ. Jesus said, “. . . apart from Me, you can do nothing.” 

The truth is there are many things we can do without Christ. We can earn a living, raise a family, practice generosity and even pastor a church. So, what does Jesus mean here? Jesus says we cannot bear spiritual fruit apart from Him.  Oh, we can appear to do so by being praised for our service, but fruit is more than activities. Real fruit is having the character of Christ. Without Christ, we cannot love the way He loved. We cannot have joy the way He had joy. We cannot be patient or holy or faithful the way He was. Abiding means we are aware of our weaknesses and thus depend on Jesus to make up the difference and even use our weaknesses for His glory.

In John 15:5, Jesus’ subject is not salvation, but vitality of the believer. “Fruit” in the Bible is a common metaphor for the evidence of being in a godly healthy relationship with Christ. Most of the time, we only know what the tree is by looking at its fruit. Fruit indicates the health of a tree or vine. A lot of lush, plump grapes is proof of a very healthy and strong vine. A weak or sick vine will not produce such fruit. 

Pastor and author Chuck Swindoll writes this:

 “Christians often assume that producing fruit is their responsibility, something they must do in gratitude for what Christ has done for them. They strive to produce fruit only to fail, pick themselves up, promise to do better, try again, and then continue this wretched cycle of failure. Jesus instructed His followers to focus their attention on abiding rather than production” (Source: Charles R. Swindoll, Swindoll’s Living Insights New Testament Bible Commentary, “John,” p. 286).

The word translated as “abide” is what we call in the Greek New Testament an imperative – a command. Abiding is not a single one time event or experience, but a lifetime of continued abiding in Christ. New Testament scholar Barton B. Bruce writes this:

“Abiding, for the disciples and for all believers today, means to make a constant, moment-by-moment decision to follow Christ. And we must not be passive—believers don’t just sit and “abide” until they die. Instead, we must be active—we have a lot to do” (Source: Barton B. Bruce, The Life Application Bible Commentary, “John,” p. 308).

In 1930, an American folktale written by Arnold “Watty Piper” Munk was released that had the title, The Little Engine That Could. The book has been used for years to teach children the value of optimism and hard work. It is about a train that is pulling a heavy load up a steep hill, all along saying to itself, “I think I can. I think I can.” This little train engine often resembles us apart from Christ. In Matthew 19:26, Jesus said this: “And looking at them Jesus said to them, ‘With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible’” (NASB). The Apostle Paul says this in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (NASB). Notice whose strength makes all things possible – it’s not mine or yours, but Christ’s strength by which all things are possible. 

Assignment: How much of your life is dependent on Jesus? Does the fruit in your life indicate you are abiding or remaining in Christ? Are you memorizing Scripture? Are you in His Word everyday and applying His truth to your life? Are you praying in faith everyday? Are you witnessing Christ consistently wherever you go? Are you helping to take the Gospel around the world? Are you living a life that proves to others that apart from Christ you can do nothing? Does your character today reflect more the character of Jesus than a year ago?

Scripture To Meditate On: John 15:9, "So Jesus explained, “'I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does'" (NLT).

Prayer To Pray: “Dear Lord, please help me abide in You. I want my life to be fruitful and productive for You. I want my character to be reflective of Your character. Help me to remember my place and Your place. Please forgive me for my pride and arrogance, thinking I can do most things without You. I love You Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen!”

I love you Southside! – Pastor Kelly