“Ask Whatever You Wish”

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

John 15:1-13

We are all taught the long-term risks of bad behavior. We know the dangers of smoking – cancer. We know that adultery destroys families. We know that lying destroys trust. The theory used to be that once you reminded people of the foolishness of their behavior, they would be motivated to stop. Not so Both reason and will are obviously important in making moral decisions and exercising self-control.

As Jesus’ followers, we want to grow and change spiritually. Two thousand years ago Jesus told his followers to abide in Him, and He would abide in them. That has not changed.

Jesus transforms us spiritually and reproduces His life in us – as we abide in Him.

A change in behavior begins with Jesus changing our heart.

Our Daily Bread – June 5, 2013