Andrew Murray states in his book, The Mystery of the True Vine: "Let us specially beware of one great mistake. Many Christians think their own salvation is the first thing; their temperal life and prosperity. with the care of their family the second; and what of time and interest is left may be devoted to fruit-bearing, to the saving of men. No wonder that in most ccases very little time or interest can be found. No, Christian, the one object with which you have been made a member of God's body is that the Head may have you carry out His saving work. The one object God had in making you a branch is that Christ may through you bring life to men. Your personal salvation, your business and care for your family, are entirely subordinate to this."
I am sure you didn't get this. Let me repeat part of it, "The one object God had in making you a branch is that Christ may through you bring life to men." God says, "I am the Vine, ye are the branches," and His one object for you is to make you a branch through which life can be imparted to men. Through what? The fruit! The fruit is what nourishes anyone who comes to the vine. Isn't that true? And if we are the branches, we are to bear fruit and thus supply the food through which the world is to know the Lord Jesus.
"The one object God has in making you a branch is that Christ may through you bring life to men."
Might this be the reason we read that God is waiting for His people to perfectly reflect His image? Why? Because men and women can only feed on what they really see, and are only attracted to come to Christ on the basis of what they see as well. "The one object God has in making you a branch is that Christ may through you bring life to men. Your personal salvation, your business and care for your family, are entirely subordinate to this one thing."
That's a broad statement. It is so easy for me to first care for myself, my family, and children. Taking care of my family causes me to feel like I have accomplished something noble and good, because any man who lookes after his family is thought of as a very fine person--and that is great and there's nothing wrong with tht. But our first and primary purpose for existence is not caring for our families. What is our first and primary purpose? Bearing fruit.
You see, our first obligation to God is fruit-bearing, not our salvation. If my relationship with God is wholly about salvation, then my relationship with Him is selfish. But if I have a relationship with God in order to abide in the Vine and am a faithful, fruit-bearing, branch, then I am fulfilling the purpose for which God created me, as expressed in John 15:5. "I am the Vine, ye are the branches." It doesn't mean the family will be ignored, however, for the family will be cared for, and will be the first benefit from this abiding.
Now notice that your first aim in life, your first aim every day, should be to know how Christ desires to carry out His purposes in you--That's the very first aim. did you ever read that Christ's first work every morning was seeking direction from His Heavenly Father as to what He was to do that day? Our first work should be the same: receiving our instructions fresh every morning.
Please know that this little book I am sharing with you each day is almost totally new to me too but such a revelation to me that I am overwhelmed with the knowledge it is presenting. I can't find any Scripture fault with any of it and it is such a relief to know these things. There is an abundant more knowledge coming up. I am so grateful to find out these things and share them with you. It will make our life so much better and it may be hard to abide in Christ every day all day to start with but it will be the most rewarding thing that we can do and it will win our families to God and all those that we associate with at least if they have an open heart and mind. Blessings to you as you study this out.
Grandma Joan
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