Faith and Dependence
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.
John 15:5
We remain in Christ to bear fruit and we are able do this because we depend on Christ. There is a difference between faith, and faith with dependence. For example, our attitude in teaching a Bible class is that we can do nothing without remaining in Christ. We must always remain in Christ to bear fruit because we can depend on Christ.
I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. (Galatians 2:20 NKJV) The apostle Paul remained in Christ because he died to his self-will. If we truly want Christ to live in us, our will is to do the Lord’s will. As we go through life, working, vacationing, etc., and we are always letting Christ live in us so we can reflect the heart of Jesus.
In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps. (Proverbs 16:9) We make plans that are agreeable to God and Christ guides our steps. This verse describes our dependence on Christ in all we do because if we don’t depend on Christ we depend on our self by default. An example of depending on Christ is praying for guidance when preparing to teach a class, and calling on the Lord during the class for words, scriptures, compassion, and with a dependent heart.
It is a blessing that Christ lives in us through the Spirit and is willing to guide us in everything. Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. (Matthew 7:7-8) When we ask and seek for the Lord’s guidance, it reveals our dependence on Him.
Today, call on the Lord for his divine guidance, for he will guide your steps if you depend on Him. When we see the Lord’s divine help in our life, our dependence on him becomes stronger. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us. (Ephesians 3:20) There is no one on earth who can guide us like Christ because his divine power works in us more than we can imagine, and he knows the hearts of everyone we minister to.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for guiding me with your divine love, power, and knowledge. I will depend on you today for guidance in reflecting the heart of Jesus to everyone. In Jesus’ name, Amen.