Staying Connected to the Vine

What have I been learning from the Lord lately? He has been reminding me that I don’t need to earn grace and love from Him.

This seems so simple but truly, it’s super hard to accept and even understand. When every tangible thing and every person around us has to earn love and respect and grace. But it is God who made those things. And God alone who gives us the perfect example of how to use and dole out love, respect, and grace.

Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. - Rom 5:7-8

So why is it so hard? We don’t want to love people who hate us. We don’t want to respect people who disrespect us. And we sure don’t want to give them grace. They deserve what they get, right? Wrong. This includes me. And if I’m guilty of being unloving, disrespectful and refuse to give grace, then am I refusing those beautiful gifts from God? I am.

In my heart, I know this. I am called to love, which includes respect and grace (both are elements of love). But God never called me to do any of this on my own strength. In my own arrogance I try. But I am not made to do good and be separated from God. He is the Vine, and if I’m truly connected to Him, then by His grace, I can love others without any conditions. Lord, help me to stay connected to Your heart, Your vine, so I may bear fruit today.

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