Day 12: Sanctified to Bear Fruit
John 15:5
My wife and I live in Temecula, California—a region renowned for its vineyards. Years ago, a friend gave us a single grapevine, which we planted in our backyard. Soon, branches emerged, and within a year, grapes appeared. From that single vine, we now have ten plants, producing hundreds of pounds of grapes annually. The key to this abundance is simple yet profound: branches must remain connected to the vine to thrive; detached, they wither and bear no fruit.
Christ is our Sanctifier! He has set us apart for His holy purposes, to live fruitful lives, marked by fruits of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—as described by Apostle Paul. And He has set us apart for meaningful ministry that inspires others tolove God and one another. Yet, we sometimes mistakenly believe this depends on our own efforts. We are tempted to trust less and try harder! But this is not the Lord’s way!
In John 15:5, Jesus says, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” Jesus reminds us that true fruitfulness comes from Him alone, not from striving harder but from trusting Him more.
No matter the circumstances, let us remain in Christ through Scripture, prayer, fellowship, and unswerving faith no matter the circumstances. As we stay connected to Him, God will produce abundant fruit in our lives.
Reflection Prayer
Lord, You are the vine and we are the branches. You promise that by remaining in You, we will bear much fruit, and apart from You, we can do nothing. Help me stay connected to You. Without You, I am powerless; through You, my life is set apart and flourishes. Guide me to seek You in every part of my life, especially in the area of ________. I’m tempted at times to try to solve this on my own. But God, I can’t. You can! Please help. I place my trust in You alone. Amen.
Week 2: Christ Our Sanctifier
John 17:19
As we focus on the life of Christ, this week’s theme is Christ Our Sanctifier. We believe that our purpose was determined even before our formation in the womb. This is conveyed in Jeremiah 1:5: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born, I set you apart.” Additionally, 1 Peter 2:9 states that we have been brought out of darkness into light to proclaim His excellencies and become His chosen people, a royal priesthood, and His possession. As adherents of Christ’s teachings, it is crucial for us to recognize that God has a specific purpose for our lives. In fulfilling this purpose, He sanctifies us through the work of the Holy Spirit within us. We are set apart for holy living in this fallen world and are equipped to carry out His work.
Reflection Questions
Do you believe God has a purpose for your life?
Do you feel empowered to fulfill His calling?
How do you manage the conflict between flesh and spirit?