Relationship

I saw this quote on Instagram from a former pastor.

“What would shift in your life if you saw your primary calling as being with Jesus before doing for Jesus?”

Being with Jesus is about relational intimacy, while doing for Jesus is about outward tasks.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 NIV

Your primary calling is not to do good work or to obey the commandments or doctrines of a religion.  Your primary calling is to stay connected to the vine.

The Branch does not produce fruit and then says to the vine, “look how good my fruit is” and then expects the vine to accept and love it.

Many people today are doing great and good work in the name of Jesus and are expecting a reward for doing these works.  They believe that they are owed the love of God because of their behavior or actions. They believe that God will love them more because of their sabbath keeping, following all the doctrines of a religion. They are very proud of keeping all the commandments.

 “Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?” Matthew 7: 22 NIV

Yet sadly in the next verse Jesus response is “I never knew you” Matthew 7:23 NIV

The people in Matthew 7 are good Christians. They believe in God, pray and study the bible.  Yet they find out that all their good behavior did not earn them one minute with God in Heaven. They were going to church because they thought the Lord would reward them for attending on a certain day. They did not go to church to praise and worship the Lord with abandonment for all He has done for them this week.  It was just the day the Lord commanded them to go to church.

Your main goal every morning is to start your day with Jesus. Then the struggle begins to stay connected through the day. The outward fruit will appear naturally if you are connected to the vine which is Jesus. The Branch cannot produce any good fruit on its own.  It is only because the branch is connected to the vine and then letting the vine produce good fruit. 

It is the fruit of the Spirit not the fruit of my good behavior.

Remember it is not a religion it is a relationship.

Prayers and Love for all.

Larry