My church had a picnic service on Sunday. My uncle (zuh pastor) talked about the vine and the branches. "I am the vine, you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:5) God is the gardener, nourishing the vines (us) in his vineyard. He cuts off any branch in us that does not bear any fruit, and nurtures the other branches so that we can bear more fruit. How encouraging is that?? Just like a plant is as good as dead without water and sunlight, we are nothing without Jesus! And then He even goes to say that He does not see us as slaves to a master but calls us his FRIEND. "You are my friends if you do what I command." (John 15:14) This indicates Him reaching down to us and getting on our level while still remaining in His sovereignty. And His command is this: Love each other! (v.17)
I want this command to be my focus for our praise night this Friday- to genuinely and unconditionally love my fellow brothers and sisters without any judgment.
