Nov 02

This world has one view of how things are accomplished and God has another. The world says that if anything is to get done, the individual must do it. Dependence upon self is the watchword of the world.

But in the kingdom of God, the dependence is upon God, not self, because this world and all of reality belongs to God and therefore all that is done is to be done for his glory, not the glory of self.

In the vine chapter, John 15, Jesus states clearly that apart from him, we can do nothing (v. 5). In verse 8, Jesus says that we are to bear much fruit, which could be interpreted to mean that we are the source of that fruit, that is, our actions are the cause of the advancement of the kingdom of God.

But the verse immediately preceding this verse allows no such self-centered interpretation, for it clearly states there that if we remain in Jesus, we can ask whatever we wish and we will receive it: It will be "given to us."

Something that is given to us is not something that we bring about by our own deeds; it is a gift that someone else has worked to bring about and then gives to us.

Though God allows us the tremendous privilege of working for him in his kingdom, we must never forget that all fruit that comes about through our participation is the result of the work of God himself, not of us and our work. God is to get all the glory. That is the first part of verse eight: "This is to my Father's glory."

Scripture for today: John 15:1-8
Thought for today: Our fruitfulness in kingdom work is for God's glory, not ours.
Prayer for today: Lord, forgive me for any attempts to steal your glory for myself as I work in your kingdom.

NOV 02