Connected in Truth, Not Just in Appearance
John 15:6
If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
Thought:
Not every branch that appears attached is truly connected. Judas walked with Jesus, heard His teaching, witnessed miracles, and was counted among the disciples, yet his heart was never truly attached to Christ. He was connected to the “cause,” but not to the Savior.
In a vineyard, there are shoots that grow from the trunk but are not part of the fruit-bearing structure. They receive some life, look alive, yet never fulfill the vine’s purpose. It's the same with many who are near the things of God but not truly in Christ. Church attendance, religious language, and Christian activity cannot replace a genuine, salvation connection to Jesus.
Spiritual withering rarely begins in public; it begins at the root, when prayer is neglected, the Word is ignored, repentance is resisted, and abiding becomes optional. From a distance, everything can still look “fine” for a season. But sooner or later, the branches reveal the truth of the roots.
Prayer:
Lord, search my heart. I do not want a false attachment to religion or to the idea of You. I want a real, saving, living connection with You. If there is any way I have only been “near” You but not “in” You, expose it and draw me to true faith and repentance. Keep my heart from drifting, and root me deeply in Christ alone. In Jesus' name. Amen.
If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
Thought:
Not every branch that appears attached is truly connected. Judas walked with Jesus, heard His teaching, witnessed miracles, and was counted among the disciples, yet his heart was never truly attached to Christ. He was connected to the “cause,” but not to the Savior.
In a vineyard, there are shoots that grow from the trunk but are not part of the fruit-bearing structure. They receive some life, look alive, yet never fulfill the vine’s purpose. It's the same with many who are near the things of God but not truly in Christ. Church attendance, religious language, and Christian activity cannot replace a genuine, salvation connection to Jesus.
Spiritual withering rarely begins in public; it begins at the root, when prayer is neglected, the Word is ignored, repentance is resisted, and abiding becomes optional. From a distance, everything can still look “fine” for a season. But sooner or later, the branches reveal the truth of the roots.
Prayer:
Lord, search my heart. I do not want a false attachment to religion or to the idea of You. I want a real, saving, living connection with You. If there is any way I have only been “near” You but not “in” You, expose it and draw me to true faith and repentance. Keep my heart from drifting, and root me deeply in Christ alone. In Jesus' name. Amen.
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