Jesus once said, “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5). Notice how we are connected to God. Because we are in Christ, we bear fruit.
Note also how this verse ends saying, “apart from me you can do nothing.” Now there are many people who do not believe in Christ and do many great things. Some write great songs or produce funny movies. The point of this verse shows how in light of eternity, none of those things really mattered. What is the point if you, “gain the whole world but lose your own soul? (Matt. 16:26). We may be able to do great things through our own strengths, but that pales in compassion to what we can do through Christ.
So how do we bear more fruit? We do it through Christ. The Apostle Paul wrote, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” (Phil. 4:13). He is the one giving us life and fruit. There is a correlation from these two passages of scripture. One explains how we can do nothing apart from Christ, and the other tells us that we can do all things through Christ.
Without God we can do nothing of significance, but with God we can do all things. Who is the one that invigorates us? God, He is where our strength comes from. Did Peter walk on water through his own ability? No He walked because of Christ. It is when we keep our eyes on Jesus that we can do the impossible.
When we make it all about us, we will become discouraged. When we realize it is all about Him, we will be encouraged. Keep in mind where your strength come from. Tell yourself, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
