"Real Significance" Series

“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”- James 4:10 (NIV)

2) To not remain in Christ - v. 6

We can choose to let this world influence us and stay in the “dirt.” This can refer not just to falling into the error of “license” where we think we live as we please because we belong to Christ, it can also refer to our falling into the error of “legalism” too.

“Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: ‘Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!’?” - Colossians 2:20-21 (NIV)

Some believe this is a passage that teaches a believer can lose his salvation. But we must interpret confusing passages in light of clear passages. The Bible clearly teaches that one who is saved is secure:

“The sheep that are My own hear and are listening to My voice; and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never lose it or perish throughout the ages. [To all eternity they shall never by any means be destroyed.] And no one is able to snatch them out of My hand. My Father, Who has given them to Me, is greater and mightier than all [else]; and no one is able to snatch [them] out of the Father’s hand.” - John 10:27-29 (Amplified)

The focus here is on how believers can live a life of lasting significance by remaining dependent on Christ. Jesus teaches us that believers that do not remain focused on cultivating their love relationship with Christ will be discarded. Their life is a waste.

B. The branch that bears some fruit - v. 2b

This is the believer who is not yet reaching our full potential, because he wavers between dependence on self and dependence on the Savior.

When we discipline ourselves to surrender, applying the Scripture, and obeying the Savior, we will be fruitful. But when we don’t practice these cooperative disciplines, God brings about corrective discipline.

“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” - Hebrews 12:11 (NIV)

This is what Jesus means when He talks about “pruning.” What is the Father doing? He is calling us to stop depending upon self, but rely fully on Christ to bear more fruit. It may be painful, but if we submit to the Father’s work in our lives, we will find that pruning is productive!

“Discipline may be either corrective or remedial. It may be sent for the purpose of correcting some sinful attitude or action, or to remedy some lack in our character. In either case, it is administered by our heavenly Father in love, not in wrath. Jesus has already borne the wrath of God in our place, so all

adversities that come to us, come because He loves us and designs to conform us to the likeness of His Son.” - Jerry Bridges

3. The branch that bears much fruit - v. 5; 7-8

These believers have been trained through corrective and cooperative discipline. They know that apart from Christ they can do nothing, so they daily choosing to surrender, apply the Scripture, and obey the Savior. As a result, three things are true of them: