His life lived in you
You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:3-5
God wants to have His life nurtured in you. He calls His children to “remain in Him.” This means that you have to allow Him to do through you what He alone could do; that is to transform your life. You have to let Him be God and take control of your life. Jesus said, “...For apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). It is no longer the old life characterized with selfishness and self-righteousness that should dominate but having His life taking control. “My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:18-20). Christ wants to demonstrate His strength in you even in your weakness. “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness” (2 Cor. 12:9). His wisdom will provide you the understanding you need on things that are beyond your comprehension. “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you” (James 1:5). He wants you to be the vessel of His unselfish love. “For love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God” (1 John 4:7). In times that you find it difficult to pray and intercede for others, His Spirit will direct you. “And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words” (Romans 8:26). Knowing Christ as Lord and Savior gave you an access to a full experience of having the power of God in your life. “May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God” (Eph. 3:19). What a privilege you have to reflect who God is because you allowed Him to control your life! The temptation you will face daily is the desire to take control of your own life and have your will superimpose over His will. For this not to happen and thus become victorious in your Christian living is to remain in Him. “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires” (Psalm 37:4).
Blessings,
Noel De Guzman Westside Baptist Church Los Angeles, CA
