If we want apples, we need to plant apple trees and wait for them to bear fruit. If we were to cut off and set aside a branch of a fruitful apple tree, it would be silly to think that this branch by itself could just as easily give us apples. The branch needs to remain connected to the tree for it to bear fruit.
In the Bible, Jesus teaches us how we are to depend on Him always by comparing Himself to the vine and us to the branches. If we are to have fruitful lives, we need to remain connected to Christ through His Spirit. Just as the branch from the apple tree cannot bear fruit on its own, we Christians cannot fulfil God’s will for our lives unless we are dependent on Christ at all times.
Dear Christian, are you always connected to Christ through His Spirit, thereby doing what He wants you to do in His strength?