25 lines
4.3 KiB
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25 lines
4.3 KiB
HTML
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<title>Blue Letter Bible: Day By Day By Grace — Bob Hoekstra</title>
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<div class="head">Day By Day By Grace</div>
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<div class="subhead">Bob Hoekstra</div>
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<div class="desc-center"><div class="pad2020">April 9</div></div>
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<h2>Branches in the Vine, the Vine in the Branches</h2>
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<div class="block"><i>"Abide <b>in Me</b>, and I <b>in you</b>. As the <b>branch</b> cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it <b>abides</b> in the <b>vine</b>, neither can you, unless you <b>abide</b> in Me. I am the <b>vine</b>, you are the <b>branches</b>. He who <b>abides</b> in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for <b>without</b> Me you can do <b>nothing</b>."</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Jhn',15,4,5);">John 15:4-5</a>)</div>
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<p>Previously, we examined these verses to see how the grace of God produces fruit in those who walk in humility and faith (thereby living by grace). Now, let's revisit these words to consider the <b>intimate relationship</b> they describe. It is a profound biblical picture of <b>us</b> being <b>in Christ</b> and <b>Christ</b> being <b>in us</b>. It is like the relationship between a <b>vine</b> and a <b>branch</b>. Jesus is the vine; we are the branches. <i>"I am the <b>vine</b>, you are the <b>branches</b>."</i> <b>He</b> is the <b>source</b> of the <b>life</b> we <b>need</b>. <b>We</b> are the <b>recipients</b> of the <b>life</b> that <b>He alone</b> can provide.</p>
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<p>The Lord Jesus wants us, His branches, to be fruitful. <i>"By this My <b>Father</b> is <b>glorified</b>, that you <b>bear</b> much <b>fruit</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Jhn',15,8);">John 15:8</a>). Fruit is the result of developing life. Branches do not innately have that life in themselves. <i>"The branch <b>cannot</b> bear <b>fruit</b> of <b>itself</b>."</i> Branches must always find their life in the vine. The vine, Jesus, has life. <i>"<b>I am</b> the way, the truth, and <b>the life</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Jhn',14,6);">John 14:6</a>). Our Lord came to share that life with us in abundance. <i>"I have come that they may have <b>life</b>, and that they may have it more <b>abundantly</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Jhn',10,10);">John 10:10</a>). <b>His</b> abundant life is what enables <b>us</b> to bear much fruit.</p>
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<p>Such life abundant (fruit-developing life) flows out of the intimate relationship available to us in Christ. Think of the "<b>joined relationship</b>" that a vine and a branch have. The branch came forth from the vine, and is everafter <b>connected</b> to, and is <b>dependent</b> upon, the vine. The life of the vine is available to flow in and through the branch. We came forth from Jesus, our vine, as we were born again by His Spirit through faith in Christ. Now, we are <b>joined</b> to <b>Him</b> forever. <i>"He who is <b>joined</b> to the <b>Lord</b> is <b>one</b> spirit <b>with Him</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('1Cr',6,17);">1 Corinthians 6:17</a>). Day by day, <b>His life</b> is accessible to <b>us</b>.</p>
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<p>We access that life by abiding. <i>"<b>Abide</b> in <b>Me</b>, and I <b>in you</b>."</i> To the extent that we humbly <b>depend</b> upon <b>Him</b> to be our <b>source</b> of <b>life</b>, He then <b>lives</b> in and through <b>us</b>.</p>
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<div class="dbdbg_prayer">Dear Jesus, my vine,You are my only source of spiritual life. I confess that I have often tried to produce that life on my own. Also, I have often thought of You as far away, as I cried out to You in my prayers. Actually, You were then, and are now, as near to me spiritually as a vine is to a branch. Please remind me frequently of Your nearness. Lord, I want to abide in You day by day, Amen.</div>
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<div class="desc-center"><div class="pad2020"><a href="./devotions/daybyday/04/0408.html">Yesterday's Reading</a>
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