Grade-A Faith

Daily Reading: John 15

Scripture Focus: I am the true vine. (John 15.1)

Devotional Thought: My heart breaks when I see people make a start with Jesus, and then fail to make a relationship with him. I know how it will end... Jesus knew that simplistic faith in him was not sufficient. His disciples needed to re-orient their entire lives around him with "Grade-A" faith:

• The disciples were Already clean (v. 3). Our life in Christ starts with sins forgiven and lives made new. If we never truly meet and surrender to Christ, then we absolutely cannot have a successful Christian life. We may not remember the exact moment, but there must be a birth in the Spirit in order for us to live a spiritual life.

• Further, the disciples were to undergo pruning in order to Abound in fruit-bearing (v. 2). Simply put, a follower of Jesus Christ will see their lives change. The old will pass away and the new will come. This process is progressive to be sure, but change is inevitable.

• Next, Jesus told his disciples that they must Abide in him and he in them (v. 4). The vitality, the wisdom, the joy and the power to live the new life has to come from somewhere. That somewhere is a Someone. If we are not attached to Jesus on a daily and ongoing basis, our spiritual lives will be dry and dead!

• The disciples had the incredible offer to Ask for whatever they needed (v. 7) in their new life. We have not because we ask not (James 4.2).

• The disciples then heard the good news that theirs was a life designed for significance, for meaning, for results. They were Appointed to bear fruit (v. 16). We, too, are the friends of Jesus! He has chosen us to make a difference!

Do you have a "Grade-A" faith?

Prayer: Jesus, thank you that you have made me clean in the new birth and are daily making me new, pruning me and growing me to be like you. May I remain in close relationship with you, pray great prayers and bear much fruit. Help me, O Lord, to be a "Grade-A" Christian. Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 37.7-15

7 Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!

8 Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil. 9 For the evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land.

10 In just a little while, the wicked will be no more; though you look carefully at his place, he will not be there. 11 But the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace.

12 The wicked plots against the righteous and gnashes his teeth at him, 13 but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he sees that his day is coming.

14 The wicked draw the sword and bend their bows to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose way is upright; 15 their sword shall enter their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.