We seem to be back at the matter of vines and branches, this week, and Jesus is reminding us again “…apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5) If we are serious about housecleaning in our Thought Closet, we need the power and work of the Holy Spirit.

Life transformation is not something we can manage on our own, and it keeps surprising me how slow we are to learn that; it’s not like the old life of doing it on our own was actually successful. But pride and self-sufficiency die hard in us, apparently; Paul was similarly shocked at the first-century believers’ missing the point: “How foolish can you be? After starting your Christian lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort? Have you experienced so much for nothing?” (Galatians 3:3-4)

The very word salvation is all about needing a Savior to rescue and deliver, because those who are in trouble cannot help themselves.  Paul is incredulous at the saints’ ability to whitewash the situation, exclaiming “Who has cast an evil spell on you? For the meaning of Jesus Christ’s death was made as clear to you as if you had seen a picture of his death on the cross.” (Galatians 3:1) The eternal God died. Because of you…..for you. How does a universally climactic event like that get taken for granted? As a teacher, he must have been pulling out his hair at his students’ short memory. I am guilty as charged. If I was so helpless that I needed a divine Savior in order to escape death and judgment, then why would I think my life now would be any different? As a person rescued, my life is dependent on Christ the Savior, bought by Him, hidden in Him, “for from Him and through Him and for Him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.”(Romans 11:36) When I slide into living on my own resources, it should not surprise me that I run dry very quickly.

Paul follows through logically, laying it out so the believers can see it plain. “Did you receive the Holy Spirit by obeying the law of Moses? Of course not! You received the Spirit because you believed the message you heard about Christ.” (Galatians 3:2) And I see that, am reminded again of how I got here and how I must go on from here.

Of course Jesus said it quite clearly as well, telling His disciples how to live in Him. “No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.” (John 15:4)  But my figuring out what that means in practical terms is taking a lifetime of trial and error. After all this time, still I need His reminder, “…apart from Me you can do nothing.” Not ministry. Not relationships in the Family of God. Not marriage or motherhood. Not the little every day stuff even…at least not with any resemblance to Jesus. Because you can’t have it both ways– can’t be both rescued and independent. If you truly need a Savior (and we all do beyond words), you’ll need to give up your old life and let Him save you completely, so you can live completely new. “For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.” (Romans 6:4)

So we are housecleaning in our Thought Closet this week, throwing the door wide open and inviting the Holy Spirit in, to do what only He can do: spotlight the self-deception, sweep out the laziness and apathy, root out the false assumptions we have been building on. We will ask Him to guide us into the Truth, and show us Christ’s love and power that can transform even the shabbiest spaces. And we will stay close and keep listening, put into practice what He tells us to do. That’s how we vines grow and produce anything worthwhile.

“Falling on my knees in worship,
Giving all I am to seek your face–
Lord all I am is yours.

My whole life
I place in your hands,
God of mercy;
Humbled I bow down,
In your presence at your throne.

I called, You answered
And You came to my rescue, and I…
I wanna be where You are.”
(Came to My Rescue, Hillsong United)

“So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise…. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do….be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Ephesians 5:15, 17-20)