MONDAY 5TH OCTOBER, 2020

Focus Scripture: “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” – John 15: 5

Admonition

I bring you greetings from the Throne of Grace in the mighty name of Jesus Christ.

Our understanding of the fruits of the Spirit as written in Galatians 5: 22 – 23 should be that they are all not of anyone, but God and His Christ. And these fruits that show us as true disciples of Christ are made manifest in our lives by the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. It, therefore, follows that we could neither possess these fruits nor manifest them without having the Holy Spirit in our lives. However, the Holy Spirit does not exist in a vacuum; He is sent by Jesus Christ into the life of whoever has given their lives to Christ Jesus. So, although, the Holy Spirit which bears these gifts is a free gift from God, it is only free to those who have given their lives to Christ Jesus.

Giving our lives to Jesus Christ by accepting Him as our Lord and Saviour, however, is the first step in being qualified for the gift of the Holy Spirit; it is not the final qualification requirement. In our Focus Scripture this morning, Jesus Christ gives the final requirement: “. . . He that abideth in me, and I in him. . . .” Abiding in Christ is the final qualification for both the free gift of the Holy Spirit and the manifestation of the fruits of the Spirit.

Somebody may ask whether it is possible not to abide in Christ even after giving one’s life to Him. To that, the Holy Spirit answers an emphatic YES! Examples abound in the Bible of people like that who after accepting Jesus Christ, through wrong teachings, fell off the vine. In 2 Timothy 2: 16 – 18, the Apostle Paul mentioned two people who according to Him, “erred concerning the truth”. Let us know that we would err concerning the truth if we refuse to abide in Christ and in His sound doctrine (1 Timothy 1: 10; 2 Timothy 4: 3; Titus 1: 9, 2: 1).

As we close this morning, brethren, Abiding in Christ implies allowing His true Word to be the guide to all our decisions and actions by which we would do nothing outside His Word and Will. By these, people whom we engage anywhere would be able to see and say that we are truly His disciples, and so glorify the Father. It is when we abide in christ that we could bear fruits and the Father is being glorified that we could be sure of FINISHING STRONG. May we be this blessed in Him in Jesus Christ’s mighty name. Amen.

Till tomorrow when we shall meet again on this beautiful journey of FINISHING STRONG together, please, keep keeping on in Him!

N. B. We will like to welcome your feedbacks, either by way of comments under each daily devotional or as a private message. You could reach us through bwgospelministries@yahoo.comor via 07064694037. Please, feel free to ask any questions or add to what the Holy Spirit daily dish out to us, remember, “iron sharpeneth iron.”

Jesus loves you!