Are you a dry and withered branch?

I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.   John 15:5 (NKJV)

The branch metaphor that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ uses is absolutely spectacular, because a  physical branch cannot bear fruit on it’s own. If you cut a branch, it will become dry and withered.  It cannot produce fruit unless it’s connected to the vine. If it is NOT separated from the vine, only then can the branch bear fruit.

Similarly, in life when you are one with God, you bear fruit in everything you do. You become successful in your personal and professional life. However, the moment you decide to separate yourself from God, everything in your life goes to shambles. You become as the broken branch that is dry and withered. Jesus said that these branches are gathered up and they are thrown into the fire!

This is why many people who have disconnected themselves from God, typically feel empty inside and have unnecessary stress that they alone cannot handle. They feel as if their life is out of control and are often worried about every little thing. Unhappiness, despair, sorrow, depression and worry consumes their world. Their vine “God” is cut out of their life, therefore they become dead as the branch. Remember, a branch without a vine cannot live.

If you ever wonder why some Christians experience happiness and joy in their life even though everything might not be perfect, it is because they are pretty much inseparable and are grounded with their vine “God”. They hold on to God as if their life depends on it, because it absolutely does!

If you ever feel you can defeat all your battles and overcome all the obstacles that comes your way without God, you’re sadly mistaken. My sister in Christ, hold on to God as tightly as you can and never let go, because only with Him will you ever experience a life full of fruit. You cannot overcome this world without the help of our Lord Jesus Christ, as He Himself tells us – without Me you can do nothing.

Now ask yourself, are you bearing much fruit or have you become a dry and withered branch?

-Author: Selam Seyoum