Have you ever wondered what on earth you are here for? “There is a fundamental human need for guiding ideals that give meaning to our actions”, states Roger Fisher. According to some philosophies, purpose is central to a good human life. Helen Keller wrote that “happiness comes from being faithful to a worthy purpose". What all these people are saying is that we all need a purpose. A purposeless life is meaning less life. The author of The purpose driven life author Rick Warren defines the primary purpose of human beings existence, “It’s not about you. The purpose of your life is far greater than your own personal fulfillment, your peace of mind, or even your happiness. It’s far greater than your family, your career, or even your wildest dreams and ambitions. If you want to know why you were placed on this planet, you must begin with God. You were born by his purpose and for his purpose.”
Contrary to what many books, movies, self help gurus tell you, you won’t find your purpose in life until you meet the one who has created you. Are we here by accident, Or by divine providence? Who has created us? Col 1:15 -16 reads, “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.” Who is he? Believing in this truth will we discover our purpose?
We are at different stages in our lives journey. Some haven’t yet begun their journey towards God. Others have started their journey but have drifted away by the expectations of the world. Still others though they have accepted Christ as their Lord and savior but have never grown up in their faith, their growth is stunted. But they are still others who know their purpose and continuing to grow in their faith.
How many of you really know what God’s purpose is in your life? If you want to know God’s purpose let’s turn to John 15:1-10, where Jesus makes it amply clear what God’s purpose is in our lives and how each one of us can live out that purpose in Him.
I. JESUS IS THE TRUE VINE & WE ARE THE BRANCHES :(John 15:1-3)
Jesus used the analogy of the Vine and the branches in order to explain the relationship that existed between the Father, himself and his disciples. Why did he use the Vine and the branches? Why not a tree and the fruit? A number of reasons can be stated. Firstly, the propagation, pruning, and the purpose of grapes is uniquely different than any other fruit bearing trees. Ninety nine percent of growing grapes is not done by planting seeds but by the cuttings taken from a mature vine. In other words in the case of grapes they do not grow from the seed but from the vine. In the same way we can not bear fruit by what we do for Christ but by being rooted in Christ Secondly, unlike other fruit bearing trees the pruning process is imperative to healthy, long-lasting fruit production and it is done every year. Thirdly, in the Old Testament the term ‘vine’ is used when speaking of the nation of Israel. But because Israel is often shown as lacking in some way, Jesus uses this term to say that he is the true vine. In one way he is saying, “Don’t worry about your heritage or the fact that you belong to Israel, follow me because I am the true vine.” Fourthly, grape vines were common during Jesus’ time so his audience easily understood what he was saying.
In John 15:2, by saying my father cuts off every dead branch, Jesus is combining it with Vs 6, “if any one does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. This is in reference to the final Day of Judgment when some will be found worthy to spend the eternity with God and some won’t.
If you are a true believer, accepted Christ as your personal savior and living a life that is pleasing to God and bearing fruit for the Kingdom of God then you have nothing to worry. You will spend eternity in heaven because your names are written in the lamb’s book of life. But if you never accepted Christ as your savior and living a mediocre and self gratifying life, or living on the fence never really following Christ and his teachings then you have all the reason to worry because like that dead branch you will be thrown in to hell for ever. Revelation 21:8, gives a list of those who will end up in hell, “the feckless(without a purpose) and faithless, degenerates and murderers, sex peddlers, and sorcerers, idolaters and all liars for them it’s lake of Fire and Brimstone. Second death. (The Message) That’s the judgment of God on all those who were not bearing fruit for His Kingdom.
If that is how God deals with the so called dead Christians how would he deal with fruit bearing Christians? He prunes them. He cuts them back. Ouch!! That hurts. Right? Have you experienced his pruning in your life? Has he cut you back somewhere? Painful! But necessary. As a fruit bearing grape branch is cut back every year for health and higher productivity, God cuts us back so that we bear much fruit for his Kingdom. What does pruning look like in a believer’s life? It could come in the form of trails and testing. James 1:2, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance, perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking any thing.” Who goes through more trails and testing in life? Isn’t it It is the righteous, sincere God fearing Christians? As I am talking I know several sincere Christian friends of mine are going through severe testing and trails in their lives. My prayer is that May God gives them strength and grace to face those trails and come through victoriously.
II. WHY DO WE NEED TO STAY CONNECTED TO THE VINE?
The answer is found in Vs 4 & 5, “Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” What is he getting at? I believe Christ is saying; we may do many good works but if it doesn’t involve God, if they are not done in the name of Christ for the benefit of the kingdom then they are just dead works which will have no eternal value.
It is not by doing good works we will earn our way to eternal life but by believing in Christ and closely following his teachings. Why is it important that a branch is connected to the vine? The answer is simple; unless a branch is connected to the vine it will not bear fruit because its nourishment comes from the vine. In the same way our life and sustenance comes from Christ which will enable us to bear fruit. Do you remember when Christ called his disciples to follow him what was his primary purpose? It is not that they will go out and great things for him but they will be with him so that he will send them out to do mighty things.(Mk 3:14) The irony of the modern day disciples of Christ is that we are so busy doing things for him, so much so we have no time to be with Jesus on a daily and consistent basis. If you are driven to do things for Christ remember your doing should come from your being with Him. Learn to rest in Him!! If our life totally depends on remaining in Christ then how are we to remain in Christ?
III. HOW CAN WE REMAIN IN CHRIST?
How do we do this “remaining in Christ”? Jesus in this passage gives three practical pointers towards the art of remaining in Christ. The first one is in chapter 15 verse 7 “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be given you.
If Jesus words have to remain in us, how do we do that? By being non-stop digitally connected? I am afraid not, though we may find some handy tools to do so virtually. I believe it takes intentionality, a commitment to be people who make daily reading and pondering Gods word one of our life’s priorities. In doing this we will be more aware of the will of God. Our priorities and pursuits will change and we want to live to fulfill God’s purposes rather than our own selfish agendas and ambitions. Then we can truly say “Lord not my will be done but let your will be done in my life”.
The second pointer is that we must understand how deep and wide is his love for us and remain in His love. John Piper says in one of his books, “We bring the most glory to God when we enjoy Him the most.” Our basis of remaining in Christ’s love comes from the understanding that we are crazily loved by Christ. Incase you wonder whether you are loved by Christ. Let’s pause and ponder this amazing statement, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you, now remain in my love.” It is almost as if Jesus is saying here ‘now don’t go running back to your false sources of love that cannot truly satisfy you’ instead learn to be satisfied in my love” Draw near to me I will draw near to you and transform you.
Our recovery will be complete and our striving for significance and acceptance will come to rest if only we understand the depth and the meaning of the heavenly Father’s love. How has the Father loved Jesus? Or more precisely when did the father love him? Is it when he was doing all those great and mighty miracles? No! The Father Loved Jesus even way before he did any miracle or preach a sermon. Do you remember that incident of Jesus’ Baptism? When he came out of waters what did Jesus see and hear? “At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, this is my Son, whom I love with him I am well pleased.” This was a significant event so it is captured by all the three synoptic Gospel writers, Matthew, Mark and Luke. Isn’t that amazing that you and I don’t have to do anything to earn God’s Love, except simply receive it by faith. How could we quantify God’s love? The Biblical writers fell short of words when it comes to explaining God’s extravagant and exuberant love for us. They employed adjectives such as, unfailing, abundant, deep, wide, and a couple of verbs like poured, and lavished.
Third pointer in remaining Christ is found in Vs 10 & 12, “If you obey my commands, you will remain in his love. What is his command here? “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” Loving others is not a good suggestion from Christ but a command. John 13:34-35, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples.” It is only by our love for one another we can let the world know that we are Christ’s disciples, not by having more programs and events. Though they are good, in the end it is our love for one another that wins people to Christ more than anything else.
What are the benefits of staying connected with the vine or remaining in Christ? The benefits are two fold, one we become productive and fruitful for Gods Kingdom, Secondly “God will grant our wish.” Does it mean that God will grant us any and everything I ask him? Let’s not be carried away here by that statement. This doesn’t warrant for us to come to God with our wish list of “bless me, bless me” prayers; instead we will take up his wish list; we will carry his burden in prayer. The answer is No! then what does he grant us? It’s the salvation of Souls? I guess the challenging question is, “Are we bearing fruit that will last?” The secret to this is available to us all if we learn to remain in Christ and his love. Amen
