As a general rule, no human being is self-sufficient, but rather dependent—both physically and psychologically. This is even more true when a person seeks to serve God, regarding Him as their Lord and Father.

Although countless people consider themselves children of God, He has established a condition for becoming His children—a relationship that does not occur automatically simply because He is their Creator. And when He was here, He spoke explicitly about this; see:

“I AM the true vine, and my Father is the vine-grower. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that does bear fruit, He prunes, so that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you: just as a branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for apart from me you can do nothing. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. In this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; and by this you will be my disciples.” John 15:1–5, 7, and 8.

This passage is in perfect harmony with the following passage from the First Epistle of John; see:

“And whoever keeps his commandments abides in him, and he in him.” 1 John 3:24.

The necessary and essential connection is established through obedience to God’s commandments, the Decalogue. And through this, the sap flows from the vine to the branches, producing fruit. For, as it says in the first passage from John, WITHOUT ME YOU CAN DO NOTHING. Or, WITHOUT ME, whatever you do is nothing, as the Holy Spirit says through Paul in 1 Cor. 13:1–3.

Therefore, connect with God through obedience to His commandments, in order to receive His action through His Holy Spirit, producing much fruit.

OLi Prestes
Missionary