Devotional From Savannah Moore (2/21)
“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:4-5).
I find these words of Jesus to be so grounding and centering for my soul as I am reminded of what always lies at the core of our spiritual journey: dwelling in the love of God and relying on His power to work in and through us. In Romans 8:11, Paul tells us that the same “Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead” dwells in those who have been made children of God by grace through faith in Christ. Too often, we think of ourselves primarily as sinners rather than the saints that God has declared us to be! We are sinners by nature, indeed, but now by the blood of Jesus we have been made so much more—brand new creations (2 Cor 5:17)!
Author James Bryan Smith says this about our new identity: “‘Christ in me’ means Christ bearing me along from within, Christ the motive power that carries me on, Christ giving my whole life a wonderful poise and lift, and turning every burden into wings…not as something you have to bear but as something by which you are borne.”
We have been redeemed and brought into a new kingdom—not one of burdens and earning, but one of true victory and freedom that enables and empowers us to walk by the Spirit and produce the beautiful fruit of righteousness. The key is what Jesus refers to as “abiding”––continually saturating our hearts and minds in His love, truth, and grace. Following the life-giving way of Christ looks like daily surrender and dependence on Him as we pursue obedience to His life-giving commands.
My prayer today is that the Spirit and power of Christ in us would continue to form us in His likeness to the glory of God the Father. This is the Good Life of freedom that Jesus came to bring to all who would believe in and follow Him.