Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Incapable of good...or anything else for that matter

I have been in a constant state of mental meditation on John 15 the past three or four days. More specifically verse five, "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." (ESV)

On the surface I love this picture of Christ being the center point of life. The point at which everthing else in creation flows.

But then, things get very serious very quickly. The word ABIDE is the one that Jesus uses here (at least that is the English word used to convey what Jesus was saying). The Greek word here is menos, which just simply means to tarry, stay, not depart from, continually, TO LIVE IN...that is a little bit weightier, right?

Where is our passion for the word's of God? The thing that I have been begging Christ for more than anything else lately is an unquenchable desire for more of Him...and for the source of that to be from His Scriptures. This is how I am praying for you also.

And then, this..."...apart from me you can do NOTHING."

I am completely incapable of doing anything at all apart from God allowing me or giving me the ability to do so. I want my words to be words that bring hope and peace and not words that bring hurt and pain. I must abide in Him...

Please Father, may the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing unto you, oh Lord, my rock and my redeemer. (Psalm 19:14)

ZS