The Church Branch

“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. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” (John 15:5-7)

Yesterday, we mentioned that there are three analogies used with the church. There is the body, the branch, and the bride. We already talked about the church body, and the role we are to play in God’s Kingdom. Today, we want to talk about the branch.

Jesus is the vine; we are the branch. John 15:5 tells us his, and then goes on to say “apart from me you can do nothing.” This analogy is just like a tree. If not for the vine, there would be no branches to grow out. The branches are dependent on the vine, just as we are dependent upon God. So while we have a special role to play in God’s big picture plan, we cannot play that role or achieve all that He intended without His help.

We need God. This is why we must stay in the Word and continue in constant communication with Him. Because if we are not growing, and we are not continually seeking Him to learn what it is He wants us to do, then we will not have the power He wants to give us and the direction of where He wants us to go.

While John 15:5 tells us we are the branches and we cannot do anything a part from Him, the next two verses tell us what happens when we are not in Him, and what happens when we are. When we are not in him, we are like a branch that dies and withers away, thrown in the fire and burned. It is a useless branch so why not burn it?

But, when we remain in Him, He says we can ask whatever we wish and it will be done for us. This is a powerful statement, but God knows when we remain in Him our requests will be in alignment with His purpose. And when we are in alignment with Him, He will give us all the power we need. He has a special plan for you, but remember, that plan cannot be achieved without Him!