Are You in Jesus?

The other day during our children’s outreach we were discussing Noah. I asked the children (and adults present) who of them never do anything wrong. Obviously nobody could claim it. I then explained to the children that in Noah’s time God had to destroy all sin on earth, simply because He could not tolerate it any more. I then asked them who would survive if God had to do it again today. After the children have contemplated for a while, one lad answered: “Jesus”. He hit the nail right on the head. God is going to destroy all sin again, and only Jesus and those who are in Him are going to be saved.

We read in Ephesians 1:3-4: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.”

Christ is blessed and chosen, and those who are in Him are going along for the ride.

But it is not only a ride, and staying in Christ is not automatic. Our actions and choices determine whether we are in Christ.

From John 15:4-7 it is clear that it is possible to leave Jesus (get out of Him) and do your own thing: “Remain in me, as I also 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,” (verse 4). We said just now that we are not only in along for the ride – we need to bear fruit. Judged by these words of His, Jesus assumed it to be obvious that His disciples will have a desire to bear fruit, for He gives us direction regarding the condition for bearing fruit – those who desire to bear fruit must remain in Him.

Then we read in verse 5:  “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.” Again Jesus stressed the point that we are to remain in Him if we want to bear fruit, taking it for granted that those interested in Him will have a desire to bear fruit. But then He added that, apart from Him, we are useless, again taking it for granted that we would desire to do something.

We need to search our hearts whether we are motivated to promote the Kingdom of God, and if we are, do we stay in touch with the Holy Spirit and remain in Jesus? It is only in Jesus that we will have what we need to bear effective fruit: “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you, (verse 7).” This includes the blessings mentioned in Ephesians 1:3-4 above.

And if we do not desire to bear fruit and because of that do not remain in Jesus, what then: “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,” (verse 6).

How do you remain in Jesus? How do you actually remain in any relationship? By seeing your friend or spouse once a week for an hour; staring at one another? By just being on the receiving side, only calling on them when you need their help? No, the way any relationship grows is when we are there for one another, spending time together, and helping and supporting one another, making life easier for the other.

The same applies to being in Jesus. He needs us as much as we need Him. The greatest commandment is: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength,” (Mark 12:30). How do you prove that you love your spouse? By saying every day that you love them? Maybe there is more to it, is there not? Loving your spouse is about doing those things that meet their needs. Does loving Jesus, and being in relationship with Him, entail singing in church with all your heart, soul, mind and strength that you love Him? I do not think so. It is doing with all your heart, soul, mind and strength that which He desires of you for the sake of the Kingdom. It is thinking about Him all the time, wondering what He desires of you next. It is laying down your life in order to proclaim His life (Matthew 10:39).

Are you in Jesus, or are you only concerned with yourself? Do you want to bear much fruit, hearing one day: “well done good and faithful servant”? Or do you want to be “picked up, thrown into the fire and burned”? (John 15:6)

Father, help me to remain in Jesus so I could bear much fruit?