Ye Are the Branches

What a simple thing it is to be a branch… It has no responsibility except to just receive from the root and stem sap and nourishment.

Absolute Surrender, Andrew Murray

Murray addresses this final chapter in his book to Christian workers.  But…aren’t we all Christian workers?  Hence, his suggestion that if our life with Christ is right then all will come right applies to us all.

The branch.  A position of utter and absolute dependence on the tree or vine.  The vine does the work, the branch merely receives.  This is continuous; the work of the vine never ends.  For us, we are to trust in Christ, and He does this work through the sending of the Holy Spirit. 

The branch.  A life of deep restfulness.  The vine is doing the work.  It gives water, it gives sap.  The restful branch merely turns these into fruit.  Will we then become slothful?  No, as the closer our contact with Christ the more of the Spirit’s zeal and love will penetrate us.

The branch.  A life of close communion with the vine.  Close fellowship through prayer with Christ.  Time in the Scriptures. 

The branch.  A life of absolute surrender.  Our Christian life is so difficult because we seek God’s blessing while doing our will. 

Conclusion

I tell you again that the sap of the heavenly Vine is nothing but the Holy Spirit. 

We cannot trust Christ too much.