Grafted In

Here is the next series of the Gentle Shepherd devotions....
Since I am a bit shell shocked about the word "Christian" anymore I am substituting the words "Believer's and Follower's of the real Jesus Christ".
But that is just me.....




Reading: Romans 11:23

GRAFTED IN

This month we will consider what it will take to come to full maturity in Christ. In Romans 11, the Apostle Paul talks about the fact that the Gentiles were wild and untamed by nature in the matters of God. As a result, they had to be grafted into the vine of life, which is Jesus Christ.
Grafted branches are very tender and fragile until they have established a complete dependency on the vine for its life. Once that dependency has been established, the branch is able to come to maturity in order to be an extension of the vine, and produce the fruit that ultimately will bring honor to the quality of the vine.
Our first reality as Christians ( Believer's and Follower's of the real Jesus Christ) is that we had to be grafted into the Vine of God. Without this procedure, we would become a worthless branch that would be void of any source of life. The grafting of our lives into the source of life is a matter of grace. Out of grace God grafted everyone who would believe in God’s provision of life into the Vine of life, Jesus Christ. We deserve to be cast with the rest of the useless branches into the fires of destruction. However, God provided a way for us to be restored in order to be productive.
The reality of being grafted in is that we now must go through the process of being tamed or brought under control. Keep in mind, we have a high opinion of our strength, but we must recognize that strength must be disciplined in order to produce the type of life that will bring glory to God.
As Christians (Believer's and Follower's of the real Jesus Christ), it is easy to forget that the Father has grafted us into the Vine. It was His favor and good will to do so. Therefore, we need to remain humble and meek to ensure we become a tamed branch in submission to the Vine.

Prayer: God, to ensure we become a tamed branch in submission to the Vine, we must remain humble before You. After all, we can get cocky because we forget how fragile and doomed we were until You picked us up and grafted us into Your Son. Amen.

Reading: Romans 11:24

WILD ACCORDING TO NATURE

In yesterday’s devotion, we learned that we were grafted into the Vine, Jesus Christ. As a branch, we have no lasting source of life. In fact, we were part of a wild olive tree (Adam) that had grown amiss. We were cut off from the tree in order to be grafted into a tree that was being prepared to produce fruit.
When we consider that which is wild, we are reminded of that which is untamed. There is no real direction or purpose in the existence of that which remains wild. I have seen this in rose brushes. When they grow wild, they go in every direction, but their roses are limited and lesser in quality.
The reality of all of creation is that it must be channeled to ensure its potential. As we consider the fact we were part of a wild olive tree, we will realize that we were allowed to go any way we had the inclination to do so. We went towards the ways of paganism, idolatry and death. The fruit that was being produced was unacceptable. The only way to save us from this destructive path was to cut us off from our wild source and graft us into a tree that is being taken care of by the husbandman who oversees the well-being of the garden.
Here we have the Father cutting us off of the wild olive tree and engrafting us into His Son. It is the Holy Spirit who continues to ensure the quality of the fruit. Once again, we are reminded that we should be trees of righteousness that grow straight in light of the Son of God.
As a grafted branch, are you being connected to the true Vine or are you still fragile and uncertain as to the source of your strength and life?

Prayer: Lord, thank you for allowing me to be grafted into You. You are the source of real, lasting life. Amen.

Reading: James 1:21

ENGRAFTED WORD

It is clear that we must be grafted into the Vine to have life. It is also important to point out that the main connection between the Vine and our lives is the Word of God. God’s Word connects us to the Vine in different ways. It is important to understand how it works. Let us now consider how the Word of God enables us to make the necessary connection.
Authority: The Word of God serves as the final authority as to what we are to believe. As we believe God’s Word is truth, it will connect us to the very reality of God. As the reality of God enlarges our perception of who He is, we can explore the depths, mysteries and revelation of His Word. This enables us to discover greater depths into God’s character and greater heights into His ways.
Cleanses: We know the Word also cleanses us from all unrighteousness so that we can be established in an upright life before God. Righteousness is also a connection into the ways of God. Without this connection, we will never learn His perfect way. After all, if righteousness is missing from a matter, a person will simply pervert or twist situations according to personal preferences.
Exposes: Finally, the Word exposes that which would hinder our connection to the Lord. It is a sword that can cut away any debris that would defile our connection. It is a fire that will consume any residues that would stand in the way of a pure relationship with God. It is a hammer that will break the backs of pride and independence.
According to James, God’s Word must be clearly grafted into the very fiber of who we are. This will ensure our salvation.

Prayer: Lord, we need to be grafted into You, but Your Word needs to be grafted in us. So be it!

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