Key insights:
You are just as dependent upon Christ, in order to live a holy life, as is the branch upon the parent stock for growth and fruitfulness. Apart from Him you have no life. You have no power to resist temptation or to grow in grace and holiness. Abiding in Him, you may flourish. Drawing your life from Him, you will not wither nor be fruitless. You will be like a tree planted by the rivers of water. SC 68.3
Promise to hold onto:
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. (John 15:4 KJV)
What we learn about God:
As God’s remnant people, we are called to begin living as those who are preparing for the New Jerusalem—a place where sin, death, disease, and pain will no longer exist. However, it is important to understand that we cannot achieve this level of holiness on our own. Our fallen human nature is prone to the works of the flesh, as outlined in Galatians 5:19-21: “adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings”
The only way to overcome our sinful nature is to invite Jesus Christ to dwell within us and to allow the Holy Spirit to guide our hearts daily. My dear brothers and sisters, I encourage you to look to Jesus—the spotless Lamb who was sacrificed for our sins. He alone can lead us to the perfection that God desires.
Let us commit to inviting Him into our lives each day, surrendering our imperfect selves to be covered by His perfect righteousness (Colossians 3:3).
Action Step:
Consecrate yourself to God in the morning; make this your very first work. Let your prayer be, “Take me, O Lord, as wholly Thine. I lay all my plans at Thy feet. Use me today in Thy service. Abide with me, and let all my work be wrought in Thee.” This is a daily matter. Each morning consecrate yourself to God for that day. Surrender all your plans to Him, to be carried out or given up as His providence shall indicate. Thus day by day you may be giving your life into the hands of God, and thus your life will be molded more and more after the life of Christ. SC 70.1
