Gospel Reflections #57: God Takes Care of our Growing

John 15:2 The Father removes every branch that is connected to me but does not bear fruit. But whoever bears fruit, he will take care of him so that he may finally bear fruit in abundance."

Our real problem is in being connected to Jesus not really in fruit bearing. It is because the human heart does not voluntarily connect to God. The sinful heart will never connect to God, thankfully, we have a God who is love and His love always initiates, and His love is the one reaching out to sinners.

So, it is not a question of whether or not we bear fruit but seeing God's work in connecting back to us. We have absolutely no power to bear fruit, but if we are connected to Jesus, He will take care of us so that we will bear fruit.

It may be the kind of care that provides water, fertilizer, and sunlight as needed, or it may be the kind of care that prunes branches that interfere with growth. Some care may be painful. But the reason for this is not to cut off a branch because it is no good, but to prepare it so that it will bear fruit.

The seed of Jesus is sown in our hearts. God has provided us with everything we need so that the seed will grow.

God always takes care of our hearts so that they bear the fruit of Jesus' character. Our role is to leave it in God's capable hands, to allow God to use our free will to do each and every one of His works. God does not take care of things by forcing His own will. He always respects our will.

We look into our hearts, and if we see weeds everywhere, we ask God to pull them out for us because He is the only one able to do it. Our part is experiencing the joy of growing! God hears and responds to every voice and cry of ours.

It is not a question of how much we are growing or how fast or slow it is happening. It does not matter how much our hearts are growing. It is whether or not we want God to take care of us.

Today, the Sabbath, let us look into our hearts and ask God to take care of them. It is God who sowed the seed of Jesus in our hearts.

God is responsible for taking care of it until the end unless we refuse to do so. Let us leave all the growing of our seed to God, and let us praise and rejoice in Him who takes care of it.

The Sabbath is a day to share joy! Joy is a sign of growth! Shalom

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This Gospel Reflections page is written by Masae San, a devoted student of the Bible who passionately embraces the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She shares her daily reflections on the Gospels as a way to reach out to others and spread the message of Jesus. We're sharing her message here so that you too can experience the joy that comes from the Gospel that has filled her heart.