John 15:1–8 (ESV)
Do you feel good enough about yourself? Maybe the circumstances of life have not been good for you lately. So I will ask are you feeling OK about yourself. Who validates you and your life?
At various stages of life we individually experience what it means to feel broken, lonely, or like not having the resources to effect a positive change in your life. Just because we had situations that are similar does not mean we can speak for everyone who is now suffering through these negative pressures in life.
While we cannot feel exactly the same way each person personally feels we can offer the prescription for getting back on out feet after having life knock us off our feet.
One motivational speaker and pastor has a unique way of illustrating this prescription. With his voice he tells us that he loves Jesus Christ. Our eyes behold the voice coming from a body born without limbs. Nick Vujicic has no arms or legs. Nick does have a deformed partial foot that he with affection teases it to be his drumstick.
Being a pastor’s son caused Nick problems when he was about eight years old. How do you sit in Sunday school class and with your heart in it sing Jesus loves me. The years between 8 and 10 years were especially difficult, between the school bullies and his low self esteem Nick thought about suicide. But out of love for his parents he knew that he could not do that hurt to them. Nick began to pray every night to awake the next morning with arms and legs so he could be like normal.
Instead of growing arms and legs, his prayer life helped him to finally begin to understand that he was made the way God had planned. He began to learn that he was not unique there was other people in the world who also had different forms of disabilities. He became inspired learning how they were able to deal with life despite their disabilities.
Now encouraged He began to master the daily tasks of life. He learned to write using the two toes on his left foot with a special grip that slid onto his big toe. He learned to use a computer and type using the "heel and toe" method. He learned to throw tennis balls, play drum pedals, get himself a glass of water, comb his hair, brush his teeth, answer the phone and shave.
His message of inspirational hope has been shared with the youth, prisoners, and business people in over 25 countries. During a video message I saw he talks about the times in life when you feel life has gotten you down. A person who has no arms or legs can have a struggle trying to get back up. Nick said it might take a hundred attempts to get up; just know each attempt offers hope. The only way to become a loser is to quit trying.
Nick addresses the fear that getting down in life can do to you. For some people the downs in life can be caused by family situations, broken hearts, or low self esteem. Nick admits to finding strength in these moments by having strength through Jesus Christ. He also speaks about his belief that God can use any willing heart to do His work and that God is big enough to overcome any and all disabilities. Do you understand; a man with disabilities in the physical life discovered the importance of spiritual life.
Jesus said in John 15; “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.
Jesus spoke about his connection with the father and his connection with others who are symbolized as branches off the vine. Every branch that does not bear fruit the father removes. Every branch that does produce is pruned so that it will produce even more fruit.
Jesus Christ lives in his people, because they like a branch attached to the true vine. Jesus serves as the root that reaches into the Father’s creation and drawing up spiritual life giving nourishment. Being also the true vine Jesus serves the nourishment to each branch producing fruit.
God is the owner of the land and God is in control of the vine. God provided and cared for the vine he took out of Egypt and planted in The Promised Land. God makes certain the branches are strong enough for producing fruit. God knows the inner character of each person serving as a branch. A person not bearing fruit for God is removed. A branch that does produce is pruned so more life giving nourishment can be sent to make the branch stronger. The purpose of life is to produce fruit pleasing to God.
A branch cannot produce fruit on its own. The branch must draw life and nourishment from the vine. The very essence of spiritual life is the union between the branches with the vine. Remember Galatians 2:20 (ESV) 20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
The branch that lives outside such a relationship faces a terrible consequence. The person that rejects life in the name of Jesus Christ is likewise rejected. That judgment will face the judgment of hell.
The branch that lives connected with the true vine, Jesus Christ receives from the fullness of Jesus Christ. All that is of Jesus is available thru the nourishing connection. This privileged branch continues in fellowship with Jesus Christ, receiving his nourishing word and hope despite being pruned.
The results of Christian believing fruit is to live life knowing the glory of holy God. Living as an illustration of knowing God’s divine and loving plan. As you love God and follow God’s commandments your fruits will illustrate the glory of God’s grace, mercy, and power. In addition your fruit bearing service honors Jesus Christ.
Belief in God thru Jesus Christ does not produce the sorrows in life. Instead belief in God through Christ Jesus allows for explanation and understanding. Jesus supplies tools that overcome the sorrows; providing spiritual strength and wisdom. Defeat the sorrows with the joy gained by your connection to the true vine.
A man with no arms and legs can smile and live in hope because of his relationship with Jesus Christ that gives honor to our Holy God. Nick Vujicic had a prayer asking God to answer. Nick’s prayer was that God could send him a God serving wife. She would have to be special; he did not have arms to hold her. But he did have within him, a way to hold her heart and love her. God answered that prayer and they were married on Valentine’s Day this year.
A person who realizes they do are not producing fruit of the spirit should make a decision to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior today. Maybe you at one time knew the fruit, pray that it will be restored. If you know you are connected then pray for the spiritual wisdom to appreciate God pruning that allows new strength. Who validates you and your life? God does.
