A Community of Grace »

Masthead header

Day 27

vineandgrapes-day27

Though plugged in overnight, the message on the cell phone screen indicated a low battery. Initially, I assumed something was wrong with the phone. A further look revealed the true problem: the phone’s charger was not fully plugged into the electrical outlet.

The battery charger is the means by which electric current, wired to flow out of an outlet, is directed into our phone. If the connection is faulty, the electric current cannot flow. Likewise, we were designed to live connected to the Source of our power. Plugged into God, His power-filled life flows directly into us. Disconnected from Him, we receive none of it. In fact, the moment we disconnect we begin to lose any “charge” we had received.

Jesus stated this truth through another illustration:

“I am the Vine: you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).

God is our only source of divine power. Through constant communion and connection, His divine nature flows through us. We can receive His thoughts, His wisdom, His love and compassion. Consider what God says to you:

I’ve given you My divine power to supply everything you need to live a godly life. You obtain it as you come to Me, develop an intimate relationship with Me and seek to stay connected to Me. I’ve given you many great promises. If you believe them, you will participate in my divine nature. You will escape the corruption caused by the evil desires you experience when you live apart from Me (paraphrased from 2 Peter 1:3-4).

Do you believe that if you remain in God you will bear much fruit? Do you believe that apart from Him you can do nothing of eternal significance? How we live bears witness to what we truly believe. Many people profess faith in Christ, but don’t seek the intimacy and connection necessary to remain in Him. If that’s the case with you, we invite you to humble yourself before God, speaking the very words said to Jesus by a man in the first century:

“Lord, I believe; help me overcome my unbelief” (Mark 9:24).