I spend half my hours each day at school teaching seventh grade boys… a great joy. Last week we looked at Paul’s instruction to “honor God with our bodies.” When I asked how we are to do this, I was reminded why it is good to be around kids… they keep it simple: “Don’t do things that are harmful to your body; do things that make your body healthy and strong.”
If grace involves the truth that ‘God is with us,’ it is natural to wonder what result this has in practical living. God likes simple too: “As I live in you, you will learn to live in Me. I will teach you to avoid those things that harm yourself and others and I will lead you to do good. As you walk in My light, I will shine through you… and others will notice. Your life will reflect My love and I will receive glory.”
Jesus used the analogy of the Vine and the branches to teach us: “I am the Vine, and My Father is the Gardener… 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… Remain in Me and I will 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… This is to My Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be My disciples.” (see John 15)
Thank God for being the perfect Gardener. Thank God for the perfect Vine. Thank God that He produces good results in our lives. Thank God for grace.
“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope – the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that are His very own, eager to do what is good.” Titus 2:11-14