WATCHWORD:
1 “I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. 3 You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. 5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:1-5
16 So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. 17 The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. 22 The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Galatians 5:16-17,22-23
Meditation:
Nonagon!
Nonagon? What the heck is a nonagon? We’ll get to that in a minute.
In the early days of Christianity, many of the followers of Jesus became discouraged and drifted away. Some who had witnessed a miracle, became frightened, didn’t understand, and ran away. The disciples were also struggling. Some were impatient for Jesus to emerge as the leader who would over throw Rome and establish a new nation. They had seen no evidence that this was happening and they weren’t sure that what they had witnessed and heard from Jesus fit into their preconceived idea of what this man was going do.
Now He was talking about vineyards and grape vines, and that was not helping. Many did not understand the meaning of the Holy Spirit, and how it would guide them. And, what is all this talk about fruit? So, dissatisfaction and grumbling continued. Some of the unhappy crowd were Jews who saw the teaching of Jesus in conflict with much of what they believed. Even to the point of seeking to incorporate practices of Judaism as part of Christian belief.
Yet, in the face of dissenting thoughts and actions, Jesus continued His ministry, laying the groundwork in which the seeds of God’s plan would spring forth a growing crop of those who believed. The reality of changed lives, and strengthened belief, began to shed light into the dark places of people’s lives.
In those early days, the disciples hid away in locked rooms out of fear of the Pharisees and others. Are we still doing that for the same reason? Are you apologetic when it comes to declaring your faith? Perhaps you find ‘going to church more comfortable in your PJs, streaming the service, hiding, as it were, ignoring the blessed power of fellowship. Are you tempted to hide away in your mental attic, away from prying eyes. Fearful that you might be called “one of them?”
About now you’re probably wondering, what does all that have to do with nonagon? We need only to turn to Jesus’ teaching on the Holy Spirit to understand the meaning of that word, and also see fruit being a part of a complete and clearer picture of you and Christ, together – a seamless whole, celebrating the gifts of the Spirit.
Nonagon: A nine-sided object or a life-style. Nine-sided, all laid out nicely in verses 22 and 23 of Galatians: “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these (nine) things!”
The final point is simply this, in the words of Jesus; “If you remain in me, and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” There you have it. Apart from Christ, we miss out on the blessings which flow from the Holy Spirit. May you lead your life following the guidance of the Holy Spirit and reap the benefits of God’s ‘fruit-salad’. Amen.
A Faith Question:
What things cause you to wonder if you’re a true disciple of Jesus? How might this uncertainty drive you closer to Him? Think and pray about this.
Closing Prayer:
Good morning Heavenly Father, I start this day with the full knowledge that I am a sinner, saved by the grace that you have given me. I was condemned to die and you gave my life back and now, as this new day dawns, I am aware Lord, that You are the Way, the Truth and the cherished Life. Following your will is what I desire to do, and in the full knowledge that I cannot do that simple thing without Your presence in my life, and my commitment to love and to follow You. It’s with gratitude, Lord, beyond anything I can express, that I offer these prayers. Amen.
