"What Must I Do to Please God?" – Day 5 of 14: Remain in Christ

Introduction

On this fifth day of our two-week series on What Must I Do to Please God?, we build on yesterday's teaching by diving into another essential truth: remaining in Christ. Jesus emphasizes the importance of staying connected to Him in John 15:4-7. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit if it is separated from the vine, so too can we not bear spiritual fruit if we do not remain in Christ. The call to remain in Him is central to living a life that pleases God. Apart from Christ, we cannot fulfill our purpose or grow in our faith.

Remaining in Christ involves more than just a superficial connection. It requires deep, ongoing fellowship and surrender to His will. Without this intimate connection, we lose the ability to live a life that pleases God and bear fruit that brings Him glory. Today’s scripture makes it clear that remaining in Christ is not optional, but a necessity for any believer who desires to please God.

Now Let’s Eat Some Meat!

John 15:4-7 (AMP): "Remain in Me, and I [will remain] in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself without remaining in the vine, neither can you [bear fruit, producing evidence of your faith] unless you remain in Me. I am the Vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him bears much fruit, for [otherwise] apart from Me [that is, cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in Me, he is thrown out like a [broken off] branch, and withers and dies; and they gather such branches and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you remain in Me and My words remain in you [that is, if we are vitally united and My message lives in your heart], ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you."

Context of John 15:4-7

In this scripture, Jesus uses the metaphor of the vine and branches to illustrate the necessity of remaining in Him. He is the vine, the source of life, strength, and growth. We, as believers, are the branches that are meant to produce fruit, which represents the evidence of our faith. However, we cannot bear fruit on our own. Just as a branch that is cut off from the vine withers and dies, so too do we spiritually wither when we are disconnected from Christ.

This teaching underscores the importance of vital union with Christ. Our connection to Him is not just for personal benefit but for the purpose of bearing fruit that glorifies God. The imagery of the branch that does not remain in the vine and is thrown away and burned emphasizes the seriousness of maintaining this connection. Jesus is clear: without Him, we can do nothing of eternal significance.

Remaining in Christ to Please God

Key Phrase: "Apart from Me you can do nothing."

Remaining in Christ is the key to a fruitful, God-pleasing life. To remain means to abide, to stay consistently connected to Him in every area of our lives. Just as a branch draws its nutrients and strength from the vine, we draw spiritual strength, wisdom, and purpose from our connection to Christ. When we remain in Him, we bear fruit—visible evidence of our faith and our relationship with God.

To remain in Christ is to live in continual dependence on Him. This means seeking His guidance in our decisions, trusting Him in our challenges, and surrendering to His will. It’s not enough to simply believe in Christ from a distance; we must be in a living, active relationship with Him. This relationship is cultivated through prayer, study of the Word, and obedience to His commands.

Colossians 2:6-7 (AMP): "Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in [union with] Him [reflecting His character in the things you do and say—living lives that lead others away from sin], having been deeply rooted [in Him] and now being continually built up in Him and becoming increasingly more established in your faith, just as you were taught, and overflowing in it with gratitude."

Colossians 2:6-7 reinforces the idea that remaining in Christ involves a continual, active walk with Him. Our relationship with Christ must be deeply rooted, enabling us to grow and bear fruit as we live out our faith.

Relevance to Today’s Believers: For today’s Christians, the call to remain in Christ is as vital as ever. In a fast-paced world filled with distractions, it is easy to drift away from that close relationship with Him. Yet, without remaining in Christ, we lose the source of our strength, wisdom, and ability to bear spiritual fruit. Remaining in Christ is a daily decision to stay connected through prayer, meditation on His Word, and obedience to His Spirit’s leading.

Remaining in Christ also means allowing His words to shape our thinking, guide our actions, and transform our hearts. When we abide in Him, our prayers become aligned with His will, and we are able to ask in faith, knowing that He hears and answers us. Pleasing God requires this deep, abiding connection with Christ, for it is through Him that we find the strength and purpose to live out our calling.

The Whole of What It Means to Please God

While today’s focus is on remaining in Christ, it is crucial to understand that this principle is deeply interconnected with other aspects of the Christian life. Pleasing God involves making a choice to serve Him, speaking the Gospel, walking in Christ, living by the Spirit, and more. All of these elements work together to form a complete picture of what it means to live a life that honors and pleases God.

Remaining in Christ is not just one part of the journey—it is the foundation. Without this vital union with Christ, the other aspects of the Christian life lose their power and effectiveness. It is through our connection with Christ that we can speak His truth, walk in His ways, and bear fruit that brings glory to God.

Galatians 5:22-23 (AMP): "But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love, joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law."

The fruit of the Spirit is the result of remaining in Christ. It is the evidence of a life that is connected to Him, empowered by His Spirit, and transformed by His grace.

Summary

On this fifth day of our series, we explored the vital importance of remaining in Christ as a key aspect of pleasing God. In John 15:4-7, Jesus teaches that just as a branch cannot bear fruit unless it remains connected to the vine, we cannot live a fruitful, God-pleasing life unless we remain in Him. Remaining in Christ is not an option but a necessity for any believer who desires to fulfill their purpose and bear spiritual fruit. As is provided to us in the “Amplified” version which is called that because it has been “amplified’ to reveal the meaning of the words used in the original text, “...The one who remains in Me and I in him bears much fruit, for [otherwise] apart from Me [that is, cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in Me, he is thrown out like a [broken off] branch, and withers and dies; and they gather such branches and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you remain in Me and My words remain in you [that is, if we are vitally united and My message lives in your heart], ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you." John 14:5-7 Note the words “vital” and “vitally”, the definition of vital is - absolutely necessary or important; essential. Selah!

Remaining in Christ involves staying connected to Him through prayer, obedience, and the study of His Word. It is through this intimate relationship that we are able to bear fruit, reflect His character, and fulfill His calling on our lives. Apart from Christ, we can do nothing of eternal value, but when we remain in Him, we are empowered to live a life that pleases God.

As we continue in this series, let today’s focus on remaining in Christ encourage you to deepen your connection with Him. Stay rooted in His love, trust in His guidance, and bear the fruit that brings glory to God.

If You Have Ears To Hear, Then Hear It!

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