“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me, you can do nothing. John 15:5
Bluetooth is a short-range wireless technology standard that is used for exchanging data between fixed and mobile devices over short distances and building personal area networks (PANs), enabling connections between a seemingly endless array of devices, including cell phones and music players with wireless headphones. Jaap Haartsen laid the foundations for the system that was later known as Bluetooth Wireless Technology in 1994. Bluetooth is named for Harald I Bluetooth, the 10th-century Danish king who unified Denmark and Norway. It is managed by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG), which has more than 35,000 member companies in the areas of telecommunication, computing, networking, and consumer electronics.
The Church of Jesus Christ is known as the body of Christ because it enables connections between believers across race, ethnicity, economic and social background, and between believers and God. Through the Church, believers can exchange testimonies about the working power of God in their lives, and how the Lord is using them to do His great commission work. They can encourage and empower one another to proclaim the truth of Jesus Christ despite the trials they face.
The Church of Jesus Christ is at its best when believers remain connected with God and with one another despite our differences. That connection enables believers to meet one another spiritual and physical needs. Indeed, the Church of Jesus Christ is a living organism that connects believers together as members of the family of faith. Thus, Paul tells us in Ephesians 4:4-5, “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
The Holy Spirit manages the spiritual connections of the body of Christ. He keeps believers tuned to the frequency of God’s voice and allows us to remain in God through Christ Jesus so we can bear much fruit. The Holy Spirit gives us the language to praise and worship God. He sensitizes our spirits to the presence of God and softens our hearts to the needs of others.
The Bluetooth system in my car is synced with my cell phone. Whenever I start the engine, the radio automatically picks up whatever is playing on my cell phone, including music, phone calls, or videos. Through Jesus Christ, believers are automatically synced with God’s heavenly network. Thus, we can come boldly before God’s throne of grace to find mercy in our times of need (Hebrews 4:16).
Sin hinders our spiritual communication with God and contaminates the body of Christ. Yet through Christ, we can remain in God by confessing and repenting of our sins and still bear spiritual fruit as God’s redeemed. For, nothing can separate from the love of God through Christ Jesus—not even sin (Romans 8:35). So, when the enemy tries to make us feel disconnected from God, we must reject his lies and remember that we have been grafted into the tree of life through Christ Jesus. We are the branches and Jesus is the vine.
Questions for Personal Reflection
What does it mean to remain connected with God?
How can you sync your spiritual devices with God?
Prayer- Blessed Lord, please help me to always remain connected with you. May your Holy Spirit enable me to bear spiritual fruit and empower others in the body of Christ to do the same.
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