"WITHOUT ME YE CAN DO NOTHING." Our Lord states a vital truth. Without union to Christ we can do no good works; and until we are dead to the law we cannot be united to Christ. We must see that there is neither help nor hope for us in any law that God has given; that only grace can save us, and make us willing to take Christ as God has set Him forth in the everlasting gospel. Being united to Christ, we renounce our own name and take His; we live upon His fullness, walk by His word, and aim to please Him in all things. By His grace we perform good works; and through His merit, and His name, they are accepted as evidences of our love, proofs of our sanctification, and fruits of our oneness with Him. He that is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him; and it becomes his meat and drink to do the will of God. Without union to Christ we can do nothing acceptable to God; being married to Him, our poor, imperfect, and (in themselves) worthless efforts, are acceptable and well pleasing to God. No union no fruit, no fruit no union! Beloved, are you bringing forth fruit unto God? Do you bring forth much fruit? Herein is our Father glorified, that we bear much fruit.

For Meditation:
Come Jesus Lord abide in me,
Give me that wondrous life of Thine;
I am a branch, Thou art the vine,
Make me fruitful, O Lord, for Thee.