Marriage is a beautiful covenant God has established, and He often uses the years we share—including the joys, disagreements, and growing pains—to refine us. A healthy marriage requires us to apply self-control to our selfishness, to serve without expectation, and to honor and love the other person not because they’ve earned it but out of our love for God and obedience to His covenant pattern. Yielding to this process sanctifies us. It develops our character.

Sanctification is more like a marathon than a sprint: a lifelong journey of learning to love one another well as we grow closer to Jesus and become more like Him.

Intimacy with God, like any relationship of value, isn’t built in a day. It’s a lifetime of choices, surrender, vulnerability, and dependence. As we close out this week of Passion, the question now becomes:

⁵ “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. ⁶ If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. ⁷ If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. ⁸ This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”
John 15:5-8 (NIV)

Most people want to grow, and when the results of our growth reach fruition, we’re ecstatic—hard work paid off with the promotion, the vacation, the college. But in John 15, Jesus talks about fruit our lives produce, and it’s much more than earthly accolades. It’s an eternal growth that brings God glory.

Our bearing fruit is dependent on conditions. If you remember from the first devo, Ephesians made it clear that the goal is to know God better. So what are the conditions we can create each day to sustain and grow our passion?

1. Remember that Jesus is our source.

Lasting spiritual fruit does not come from effort alone. Genuine, lasting passion comes from Jesus.

2. Remain in His Word.

Passion, like fruit, needs sustenance. Be mindful of what you allow to shape your heart and mind.

3. Stay connected to God’s people and His Church.

Plants require the correct soil, and so do we. We weren't designed to grow alone. Passion is contagious. Stay connected to His Church, where we worship, serve, and grow together.

4. Watch the temperature of your heart.

Don’t allow familiarity or distraction to cool your passion. Remember His goodness, celebrate His faithfulness, and maintain a posture of gratitude.

Worship Night is at our Keller campus tonight at 6 PM.
We can't wait to worship with you!