Why Are You Trying So Hard?

“Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.” John 15:4

People try so hard in life — to change, to be successful, to impress others, to stay in control.  Many feel like they never measure up; they are disappointed in themselves.

The Christian life is union with Christ. Jesus explains this mystery in John 15 — that He is the vine and we are the branches and that apart from Him, we can do nothing. It doesn’t matter how much effort or focus we muster up or how many self-help books we read; our fruitfulness only comes from our intimate connection with Christ.

Breathe a sigh of relief. Being fruitful isn’t about trying harder. It’s all about abiding in Christ: relying on His word, depending upon His power and strength, obeying His voice and instructions, and most of all, remaining in His love.

Rather than pushing ourselves to change or to be more fruitful, the effort we are called to make is to feed on His word and to love and obey Jesus. He is the Gardener. He prunes our lives so we can be more fruitful. He is committed to remaining in us. He knows that apart from Him, we can bear no fruit. He is committed to bringing much fruit from our lives for the Father’s glory! We are loved just as much as the Father loves Jesus.

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love” (John 15:9).

Jesus proved His love for us by giving His life on our behalf. He calls us His friends. He has chosen and appointed us to bear fruit that will last.

Lord, thank You for calling me friend, for choosing and appointing me to bear much fruit for the Father’s glory. Help me to remain in and abide in You. Feed me with Your word, fill me with your life-giving power, transform me from the inside. Make me more like you. Have your way; help me to love You by obeying You! Amen.

Take Action

If you are putting more effort into changing yourself than you are trying to love God obediently, take time to rest in His love for you today and to feed upon His word. Ask Him to make you more fruitful than you have ever been — for His glory!

 

Sanctification: God’s Grand Plan

Jeremiah 29:11

The heavenly Father has a grand plan for the life of every person, and it can be summed up with the word sanctification. If you have never been certain of the term’s meaning, you are not alone—many people are unclear about its definition and application. However, believers should understand it because the word applies to them.

In its verb form—sanctify—the term means “to make holy” or “to separate.” So when something is sanctified, it is separated from its former common usage and is dedicated for sacred purposes. The Old Testament mentions a number of things that the Lord sanctified: He made the seventh day holy, set aside the Levite tribe as priests, and even consecrated places like the Holy of Holies inside the tabernacle (Gen. 2:3; Num. 3).

The heavenly Father still sanctifies people today. Before a person places faith in Jesus Christ, he or she is spiritually dead and, in fact, an enemy of God (Eph. 2:1-3; Rom. 5:10). But the moment the choice is made to trust in Jesus Christ, sins are wiped away, and the individual is adopted into God’s family—set apart as a child of God, with a sacred purpose. This means believers aren’t here to chase after personal gain but are to serve the Lord and bring Him honor and glory.

As members of God’s family who are called upon to reflect His glory, believers are referred to as “saints.” We’re given this moniker—which shares its root with sanctification—not because we live sinless lives, but because we live a life consistent with the One we represent.

Your Choice Treasure

Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.

Psalms 31:5

These words have been frequently used by the godly in their hour of departure. We may profitably consider them this evening. The object of the believer’s interest in life and death is not his body or his possessions but his spirit; this is his choice treasure: If this is safe, then all is well. What is our physical condition compared with the soul?

The believer commits his soul to the hand of God; it came from Him, it is His own, He has until now sustained it, He is able to keep it, and it is fitting that He should receive it. All things are safe in Jehovah’s hands; what we entrust to the Lord will be secure, both now and in that day of days toward which we are hastening. It is peaceful living and glorious dying to rest in the care of heaven. At all times we should commit everything to Jesus’ faithful hand; then even if life should hang on a thread, and difficulties multiply like the sands of the sea, our soul shall live in safety and delight itself in quiet resting places.

“You have redeemed me, O LORD, faithful God.” Redemption is a solid basis for confidence. David did not know Calvary as we do, but even as redemption cheered him, so our eternal redemption will sweetly console us. Past deliverances are strong guarantees for present assistance. What the Lord has done He will do again, for He does not change. He is faithful to His promises and gracious to His saints; He will not turn away from His people.

Though Thou slay me I will trust,
Praise Thou even from the dust,
Prove, and tell it as I prove,
Thine unutterable love.

Thou may chasten and correct,
But Thou never can neglect;
Since the ransom price is paid,
On Thy love my hope is stayed.

Family Bible reading plan

• Lamentations 4
• Psalms 35