Without Me ye can do nothing

John 15:5

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.

The illustration that Christ uses here is apt and easily understandable to every person. We can all think about a vine, and the branches that emanate from that vine. We think about the necessity of the connection between the vine and the branches. For without the vine, the branches can do nothing. They would only whither away. Think also of a tree, out of which would proceed branches that bear fruit, whether it be apples, or figs, or oranges, or pears. If the branch for any reason is severed from the tree, that branch will immediately undergo the process of decay and withering and will never produce fruit again, except it be grafted into the tree again by a skilled grafter. Furthermore, the fruit that was on the branch will now quickly become useless as well.

Jesus said, “I am the vine, ye are the branches.” He is teaching us the necessity of abiding in the vine. If the tree branch is useless without the tree trunk, and the vine branches are useless without the vine, how much more are we useless without Him! For without Him, we can do nothing! Nothing! We are useless, fruitless, purposeless, and powerless! Oh, beloved, do we not see that we can do nothing without Him? Why do we imagine we can get through a day without Him? Why do we think we are sufficient as of ourselves? Why do we think we can find any source of strength in ourselves? Why do we think we can find any life or vitality apart from Him? God has designed it that that would be impossible. If we attempt life without abiding continually in Christ, we will soon wither and die in our spiritual walk. May the great God of Heaven remind us every morning, that it is utterly impossible to do anything without Him! May we look to Him for every ounce of strength, help, encouragement, power, joy, peace, and nourishment! For without Him we will do nothing!

“Dear Lord, how I thank you this morning that I have all I need in Thee. But how oft we forget our great and desperate need of abiding in Thee. May this be a new beginning for us, that we may rely completely upon Thee, finding every thing we need in your precious Son. Forgive us for not abiding in Him. Grant us this desire, as we long to abide in Him every day, leaning on no other than Him. Keep us connected to the great Vine, the Lord Jesus Christ! And we pray these things in His wonderful name, Amen.”