Read it- John 14:6, John 15:5 NLT
Live it-
One important belief that Martin Luther challenged was the concept that works, including penance, indulgences, and sacraments, were means of obtaining salvation.
Aren’t you thankful that Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice for our sins? There’s nothing we can do to repay that gift, but we are designed to be connected to Christ. It is the best way to live your life.
Have you seen very many great one-man bands? What I’m talking about is a single individual who is able to play multiple instruments simultaneously. I’ve seen a few try, but inevitably, they can’t play for too long.
Similarly, if we live out our Christian life in this way, it will not last. It will lead to imbalance and spiritual discord. We were not created to be one-man bands but rather integral parts of a divine orchestra orchestrated by God Himself.
In our scripture reading today, Jesus reminds us that he is the way; he also uses an analogy that tells us he is the vine and we are the branches. The notion of Sola Christus challenges us to relinquish the illusion of self-sufficiency and to humbly acknowledge our dependence on Christ. Just as a branch severed from the vine withers and dies, so do our lives lose their luster when we distance ourselves from Christ. It’s not a sign of weakness to admit that we need Christ—it’s an acknowledgment of the truth that He alone is our source of strength, wisdom, and fulfillment.
Pastor James