Scripture to Read: John 15:3–4
Jesus knew the work of cleansing had already begun with His disciples, which is why He told them in John 15:3–4, “You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.” God uses His Word to cleanse us, as noted in Ephesians 5:26, "so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word." God’s Word, as Hebrews 4:12 says, is "living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart." God uses His Word to convict us, grow us, feed and nourish us, guide us, and so much more. Jesus had spoken His Word into the disciples' lives for three years. He knew they were clean, as He told them in John 13:10, “He who has bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you.” When we surrendered to Christ as Lord, we were completely cleansed by Him (Ephesians 1:7, Colossians 1:13–14, Colossians 2:13–14), but we must be daily washed by His Word to stay in right fellowship with Him, for we can only bear fruit when we’re in right fellowship with Him.
Challenge & Application
• What must we do daily to stay in right fellowship with our Lord and bear much fruit?
• What does God use to cleanse us daily so we stay strong and healthy spiritually?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!