For apart from Me you can do nothing

John 15:4-5 (NLT)

“Remain in me, and I will remain in you.  For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in Me.  Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches.  Those who remain in Me, and I in them, will produce much fruit.  For apart from Me you can do nothing.”

I rededicated my life to Christ when I was 28 years old.  I had not attended church in nearly 10 years, but after moving to Fort Worth, Texas, with two small sons at the time, I made a decision to have God part of my life and the lives of my family.  We started attended a church near Texas Christian University and liked it enough to join it.  They had a new members dinner where each new member single or couple were picked up and taken to the dinner by a couple who were already members.  The woman of the couple who picked us up was the teacher of a college and young adult group and she asked me if I’d like to take her place as the teacher.  I’ve always found it remarkable that without hesitation I said “yes” and always felt that it was the Holy Spirit speaking through me, not my own human nature.  At that time I did not even have a Bible and here I was agreeing to teach young people, many of whom I quickly learned were studying to be full time clergy in the church. 

The students quickly saw that I was totally unprepared to lead them.  Yet, rather than reject me, they considered me “a project”.  When I started interacting with them, they allowed me to stumble through teaching on Sunday mornings while on Sunday evenings, one of them, Jesse Northcutt, who I thought had a young Billy Graham voice, was already teaching a study from the gospel of John.  I’ll never forget one of the first evenings that I was with them, listening to Jesse teach, that we studied John 15.  I was stunned by verse 5 where Jesus made the statement, “For apart (or without) Me, you can do nothing”. 

I remembered my disbelief at this statement.  Here I was 28, accomplished in many ways--nice family, nice new house, PhD degree, great job, etc—and here’s this claim that without Jesus I can do nothing.  I remember thinking that maybe this Christianity stuff wasn’t to be believed and maybe I didn’t belong.  But, again, the Lord used those students to help me understand better what this verse (and many others in the Bible) really meant. 

Jesus is talking about spiritual growth both individually and collectively.  Spiritual growth begins individually, then continues collectively through the bearing of spiritual fruit.  Spiritual fruit is making a difference in not only in the way you live your own life, but also especially in making a difference in others’ lives, as many as those who enter your life (all family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, anyone).

The bottom line to remember always is that you were created by God to serve a unique purpose.  He has a plan for you and His plan includes Jesus Christ being at the center of your life.  Jesus is the vine of your life with you being a branch extension of Him.  God is the vinedresser, pruning your branch to fulfill His purpose for you.  If you refuse to follow God’s plan for you, your life overall will mean nothing from an eternal perspective.  You will be following your own plan that mostly will be self-serving.  God’s plan for you involves your connection with others, just as the vine has many branches.  The Bible is clear (John 15:6) that branches (people) who do not choose to follow God’s plan will be cut off and burned. 

Your life means something and it will bear much fruit when you are part of God’s plan, connected to the leading of Jesus (remaining or abiding in Him).  Your life will reflect God’s glory and you will have significant purpose and meaning that has impact on the lives of many others as well as enabling you to keep maturing in your likeness to Jesus Christ.  Nothing else will give you more contentment and peace than knowing that you are reflecting God's plan for your life.