The Best Advice I Could Give You
A Well That Won't Run Dry
Day 4
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As we close out this powerful track, Priscilla focuses on John 15 and teaches us how the three major roles found in a vineyard are a perfect picture of an abiding life. Pay close attention. Your responsibility in this life may not be what you’ve thought it was all along.
Summary
The philosopher Sam Pasco once said, "Christianity began in the land of the Bible as a fellowship, a relationship. It moved on to Greece and became an institution, a place you go. Then it moved to Rome, and in Rome, it became a philosophy, a way people think. Then, it moved from Rome to Europe, and it became a culture, a way of life. Then, from Europe, Christianity came to America, and it became an enterprise, a business. Now, it's just what we do."
Lord help us if Christianity is what we do and not who we are.
John 15:1 says, "I am the Vine and you are the branches. My Father is the vinedresser."
The whole of chapter 15 is a must read. Jesus is describing three players in a working vineyard. The vine, the branches, and the vinedresser. The Vine, Jesus, provides all the nutrients, elements, and life for the branch, us, to remain steady, flourish, and produce the fruit that it was designed and planted to produce. All of what the Vine offers is available to the branch if it just stays connected, truly internally connected.
We, the branch, don't have to strive. All we have to do to stay truly alive is to abide.
The Vinedresser tends to everything and works day in and day out to care perfectly for the branch.
The Vine does work, pulsating nutrients. The Vinedresser does work, cultivating and making sure every vine is in its place. The branch does not work. It remains and rests in Him. It abides.
Search throughout Holy Scripture and you’ll find this theme throughout:Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Matthew 11:28-29
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
Psalm 46:10
His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
2 Peter 1:3
Friends, in this life, you will see beauty, and you will face droughts. Both of these will be true. The only source of hope that will sustain you, the only truth you can carry that can also carry you, the only words of advice that you need to root down deep and spring forth from your heart come not from just anyone but from The One, from Jesus Christ:
“Abide in me, and I in you.”
What's Next?
As you finish the track, what tangible steps can you take to follow those seven words from Jesus? Are there things you need to leave behind, things you need to walk towards? Make a plan, and commit to asking someone to keep you accountable as you prune away the things fighting for your attention and affection that have kept you from the relationship Jesus wants to have with you.
Reread the quote from the philosopher Sam Pasco and pause to consider your own life. Has Christianity become something you just do, or is it really who you are?
What are the three players Jesus highlights in a working vineyard? What does each represent, and what are the roles?
Does your responsibility surprise you?
Scripture References
