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“Without Me You Can Do Nothing” – John 15:4-5

On the night of His betrayal, our Lord spoke the following words to His apostles:

“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:4-5).

The majority of the world’s religious population are not branches of the true Vine. Yet, many of these folks have accomplished great things that benefit mankind. But our Lord said, “Without Me you can do nothing.”

The scientific world is full of unbelievers in the God of the Bible, yet science has enjoyed remarkable achievements throughout the past two hundred years. Still, our Lord said, “Without Me you can do nothing.”

The education profession is overrun with humanists who say that each individual is his own god. More people in the world today are being educated than at any time in the history of man. Yet, Jesus said, “Without me ye can do nothing.”

Since so many folks from all walks of life who are not Christians have accomplished so many seemingly great things in life, was our Savior incorrect when He said, “Without Me you can do nothing?”

Without Me You Can Do Nothing … That Lasts

No, not at all. The above achievements are merely fleeting moments — none of which have any eternal value. In order for what man does to be acceptable before God, it must be pleasing to God, and it must be done by the authority of the Vine (Colossians 3:17).

Those folks who are without Christ are those who have the most difficulty facing the hardships of life. For example, there are more people in this world who are presently under psychiatric care than at any time in history. Suicide is becoming the prevalent “out” for troubled teenagers as well as for seniors. More people are less able to cope with the pressures and problems of life than at any time in man’s history.

However, those folks who are branches of the true Vine, face hard times knowing that they are only sojourners in this world (1 Peter 2:11; cf. Hebrews 11:13, knowing that their citizenship is in Heaven (Philippians 3:20). Those who “abide” in the true Vine [Christ – John 15:1; John 15:5), can face the trials and tribulations of this life with the “peace of God, which surpasses all understanding” (Philippians 4:7; cf. Romans 5:1; Colossians 3:15).

The Christian knows that without Christ, he can do nothing (John 15:5). Conversely, he also knows that with Christ, he can do “all things” (Philippians 4:12-13).

Brethren, with this blessed assurance, let us be found “reaching forward to those things which are ahead” — always “pressing toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14).