Fearlessly Making DisciplesSample

Overcoming Independence

Before He went to the cross, Jesus spent an intimate evening with His disciples. After sharing one last meal, He spent time teaching and encouraging them. 

Their time, as His pupils, was drawing to a close. Soon, they’d be out teaching and training others. Jesus’s mission would now become theirs, but that didn’t mean they no longer needed his help. 

As true disciples, our dependence on the Lord is critical in every area of life, especially when sharing the good news. And it is critical we teach new believers how to depend on God and stay connected to Him.

In the 15th chapter of John, we learn a lot about what a disciple looks like. Jesus says “Apart from me, you can do nothing.” He compares us to branches on a vine (Jesus). And of course, we know what happens if a branch is separated from its source of life. 

Disciples don’t work from their own strength. They understand that their empowerment comes from maintaining a connection to Jesus. When they’re no longer preserving that connection, their fruitfulness wanes. 

In the same chapter Jesus also says “If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love ...”

It’s important to understand here that Jesus loves us unconditionally. He can never love us any less or any more than he already does now. 

It’s not that our disobedience means Jesus no longer loves us. Rather, it’s more helpful to think of His love as a dome of protection. When we’re intentionally disobedient, we step outside of that dome. 

So, it’s not his love that wanes or is removed, we are the ones who (in our desire for independence) step away from his dome of loving care.

Reliance upon ourselves has been a problem since the Garden of Eden--and it’s a daily struggle since. Whether we are growing disciples or growing tomatoes, realizing we can do nothing without Christ is key to overcoming the rebellion of self-sufficiency.   

For reflection: How are you staying connected to the vine? What tends to draw you away from dependence on God? What are ways you can teach new followers to rely more upon Jesus?