I have been involved in some discussion recently about the role of good works for Christians. It seems that if a branch is truly grafted into the vine (Jesus) it will bear fruit. We will love in supernatural ways. That is good. I need to love in a supernatural way today because I didn’t get much sleep last night. I hope that the resources that Jesus has made available to me through the Holy Spirit will make me a different person.
John 15
- Who are Jesus and the father compared to in verse one?
- What does the Father do with unfruitful branches?
- What is the condition for a branch to bear fruit?
- What does it mean for a life to abide in Christ?
- Could you describe your life as ‘in’ Christ?
Going Deeper
Observation
- How is the quantity of fruit described for those who abide in jesus and those who do not?
- What happens to the branches that are burned up?
- What is the condition for getting everything you ask?
- What is the condition regarding commandment that is connected to Jesus’ love?
- Why should a disciple not be surprised at being hated?
Interpretation
- What fruit does a follower of Jesus produce?
- Why does Jesus describe people being burned up? What is the connection between hell and garbage/rubbish/trash?
- For what kinds of things might someone in Christ ask?
- How do you become one who is abiding in Jesus the vine?
- Is being hated a condition of being a true follower?
Application
- What fruit do you produce?
- What is your view of hell?
- What do you ask of God? What could you ask him to do?
- How ‘in’ Jesus would you describe yourself emotionally and apart from your emotions?
- Does anyone hate you? Should they?
Plymothian 
Wow! What a post to follow my last comment. Anyway, for today’s post, I’ll talk about suffering because of our good works.A main reason that all Christians refrain from doing good is because they anticipate persecution and suffering due to their good choices. But that (even though it is understandable) is horrible, and is based on a faulty view of the universe. If God is truly for us, and if God is truly sovereign, then the world is a perfectly safe place (Dallas Willard). Jesus said, “Do not fear those who can kill the body, but Him who can throw both body and soul into hell.”The first time I remember noticing (really noticing) that verse was when I saw it on my friend’s Facebook. This friend swears, wears really bright colors, and is generally a very fun, very tall, and very-redheaded young adult. Sometimes she can seem shallow, but bring up Christianity (particularly Bible stories about Esther and Jesus), and she’ll (after telling you that she’s to not-Chrisitian to talk about the stuff) begin to tell her own amazing stories about how God is transforming her–through her suffering due to obeying him (it’s refreshing when she vocalizes anger at God for the difficult life He calls her to live).We have to remember that suffering is not a bad thing for Christians. Pain hurts, but pain purges. Purgatory happens here, on earth, when we obey God (and, by the way, an emptier, depression-inducing suffering is available to those who choose not to obey [but not one that God cannot redeem]), and we become worthier to share the gospel verbally when we have suffered for its sake.May God wake us up, overturn our impoverished worldviews, and make us willing to suffer for His sake in Jesus’ Name!