It is all too easy to get caught up in how well we’re doing in Christian service while neglecting our communion with the Lord Jesus. In this brief clip, Sinclair Ferguson teaches that the vital source of our spiritual fruitfulness is found in Christ Himself.
Transcript:
Our union with Christ is the source of all fruitfulness in our lives. Look at what He says here. He says, “Abide in Me, and I in you,” verse 4. “As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.” Later on, of course, He will say, “Apart from Me, you can do nothing.” And this is really a very striking statement, when you think about it. Jesus is saying, “Unless there is a union between you and Me, your lives will never be fruitful.” And in saying that, He’s really emphasizing to us, actually it’s really important we understand this aspect of the gospel, that we’re united Christ. Because He’s saying that it is the real key to us understanding how we’re going to be fruitful in the Christian life. We are united to Christ. That’s our relationship. What’s the relationship between the branch and the vine? The branch is united to the vine. But it’s as the branch draws on the significance of that union that the branch bears fruit. As the Christian believer draws on the significance of this union, the resources that are ours in Christ, as we saw in Paul’s letter to the Colossians, the fullness in Christ that is ours. This should enable us to stand tall and to believe that, so long as we remain in this union and communion with the Lord Jesus, the fruit will begin to grow.
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