Your 24/7 Companion – Day 9
In Him, Out of You … Fruit
Um(Imi)bhalo weBhayibheli
NgokukaJohane 15
Good things and events give us joy and great pleasure. Some of these things are of such an extent that we unashamedly jump up and down, and cannot help but express our joy on the top of our voices. But sadly, joy over “things” withers as we get used to it.
The joy that comes from the Spirit within us is not connected to external factors, but flows from our “attachment” to the vine, Jesus Christ, “If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed 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.” (John 15:10-11)
Our attachment to the vine has its origin in his love for us and our consequent taking hold of it. Just as the Father loves the Son, Jesus loves believers. It speaks of a strong relationship between Father, Son and his disciples. What is our responsibility then? Remain in this love and his word. To say it differently, our obedience to his word (our “remain in”) should become the space where we as believers live daily. That is the source of authentic, true and lasting joy.
What are the incentives of this firm relationship? We may ask whatever we wish and it will be given to us (John 15:7). It speaks for itself though, that our love for him and our obedience to his word will keep us from asking for things conflicting to his word and outside his will. And what is the fruit? Joy! “… your joy will be complete” (John 16:24).
Maybe, impossible situations and problems in your life have crushed your joy. If you could succeed, though, to climb out of that pit of despair and little faith, by praying to God and telling him about it, he promised that he would give you whatever you ask for. After all, he wants you to have life and have it more abundantly (John 10:10) – especially the abundance of joy, due to your close relationship with him.
