Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
August 13, 2024: SOAP #5367: Jeremiah 13-15; John 15

SCRIPTURE:  John (NIV) 15:4 Remain in me, and I will 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. 5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bar much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withes; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love.

OBSERVATION: Jesus had just told of this unique relationship they had with the Son and through the Son to the Father.  (John 14:20)   Now He speaks of their responsibility to maintain that relationship. There is no salvation apart from Jesus and His abiding in us is shown as dependent on one thing: our abiding in him!  Ed Cole tells men that it is much more difficult to maintain than to obtain. 

We obtain Christ by faith and on the basis of His completed work at Calvary.  We maintain that relationship by our daily walk of faith and obedience.  It is a constant, continuing, permanent relationship. 

APPLICATION:  Fruitfulness in the responsibility of every branch, but fruitfulness is impossible unless it remains attached to the vine.  So, it is with us.  We are to be fruitful.  We were created to be fruitful.  Yet the fruit God desires from our lives is impossible to bear unless we are attached!  Our continued connection to Him, our remaining in living relationship to Him—that is what makes us fruitful. 

There is no dividing line between a branch and the tree or vine.  There is no dividing wall.  And God living in us reaches out in my words and actions.  He expresses Himself through me. 

PRAYER:  Lord, the fruit you desire in my life is the expression of your life within.  May it be easy for you to use me as you desire.  Amen

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