Sat Inspiration

Morning Inspiration with Pastor Merritt

“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)

Even though Jesus spoke these words to His disciples what He said was for the benefit of those who are not His disciples as well. He gives, perhaps, the best definition of a Christian you will ever read in scripture. I don’t use the word “Christian” very much, because it has become one of the most misunderstood terms in our culture. Jesus makes something very plain here. A Christian is a person connected to Christ and bears the fruit of His character. In other words, what makes a person a Christian is all about having the right connection.

How many times have you ever heard people say that the way to get ahead or to get accepted or to get promoted or to get hired is in knowing the right person? Having the right connections? Nothing could be more accurate than finding your purpose in life, because our purpose is to bear fruit and that only comes by being properly connected.

Do you realize how this makes Christianity the most unique faith in the world? No other faith or religious system offers its followers a personal union in connection with its founder. The Buddhist does not claim to be joined with Buddha. The Confuciusnist does not claim to be joined to Confucius. The Muslim does not claim to be joined to Mohammed, but a follower of Christ is connected to, joined to, and a branch of Jesus Christ.

This is why so many people are so confused about what is real Christianity. They confuse religion with relationship. There is a difference between an organizational connection with Christ and an organic connection with Christ. I know in my ministry I have pastored a lot of people who were connected to the church, but they were not connected to Christ. That is why going to church does not make you a Christian any more than going into a garage makes you a Mercedes.