The Vine: May 18, 2026
“Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the Vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing”
This is a weekly reflection on the previous week’s sermon text. Each week there will be a devotional related to the scripture for the week, along with questions for reflection/discussion, as well as prayer. Feel free to make this a part of your individual spiritual growth throughout the week or utilize in small group settings (growth groups, Sunday school, etc.)
2 Corinthians 5:14-21
14 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.
16 So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:[a] The old has gone, the new is here! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin[b] for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
This is a great passage from Paul in which he reminded the Corinthian church of important things: Christ died for all people, they should no longer live for themselves but for Christ, if anyone is in Christ then he or she is a new creation, God reconciled the world to God’s self through Christ, and they were to be ambassadors for Christ.
The same message applies to us today, especially regarding no longer living for ourselves. We live in a highly individualistic culture, and it is difficult to think outside of ourselves, especially when we think about the future. The sermon title from yesterday’s sermon was “A Future Without You”. On the surface that sounds jarring. What do you mean, a future without me? How can that be? Kind of depressing from that point of view. But obviously the message was about living our lives today unselfishly in service to God and others and thinking about the future in the same way. What are we doing today that will contribute to the kingdom of God in the future and not solely focused on ourselves?
Paul said it well, “And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.” In other words, one of the best ways to show our gratitude for God’s love for us in Christ, is to contribute unselfishly to the kingdom of God both now and in the future. We have been raised with Christ and can experience the joy and freedom of living for something beyond ourselves.
Prayer:
Gracious God, we thank you for reconciling the world to you in Christ. Help us to be raised with Christ today in service to others and contribute to the future you intend for all humanity. Thank you for this day – another day to serve and love. Amen.
QUESTION FOR REFLECTION:
Paul said that Christ died for all. When we understand that Christ died for all people for all time, how does affect how we think about others?
Paul mentioned if anyone is in Christ then he or she is a new creation. In what ways has Christ made you into a new creation?
How do you understand your role as an ambassador for Christ?
PREVIOUS WEEKS
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