City Life Starter

Written by Stefan Johnsson

The Word

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.

John 15:5 (ESV)

⁸ For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, ⁹ not a result of works, so that no one may boast. ¹⁰ For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 2:8-10

Reflection

There is a strong connection between abiding in Christ and doing good works. If we try to do good works without abiding in God, our works become empty and we, essentially, cannot do anything for God’s kingdom.

In my past, I have heard many stories of missionaries who go into the mission field with a goal that they know what to do and how to accomplish it. Then they see no real fruit and find it difficult to carry on doing missionary work. There are two paths that come out of this. Either they break completely and give up or bend to humble themselves, abide in Him, and listen to the Holy Spirit’s guidance.

Breaking destroys many missionaries, but if they do not break from brittleness, then God uses them for good and His glory. It is the realization that no fruit can grow alone outside of abiding in Christ. It has to be through abiding in Christ. When the missionaries who shared their testimonies talked about giving in to God’s will and plan, real fruit was found and God blessed their work greatly and many would come to find their salvation in Christ.

Application

Are you abiding in Christ or trying to live this life on your own? You cannot bear fruit if it’s the latter. Nothing can be accomplished on this earth for God’s kingdom without Christ. Why? Because then we boast in ourselves and not in what God has done.

How can you abide in Christ? Simply, speak to God more often in prayer, listen to His Spirit, and find joy in all that God has done for you.

Prayer

Father in heaven, help me to abide in You more each day. Let me not try to live this life without Your love to guide me and Your Holy Spirit to teach me. Help me to always seek to bring You praise in whatever I accomplish in this life. In the name of Jesus I pray, amen.