What Does it Mean to Be Dependent Upon Jesus?

To be dependent upon Jesus is to trust Him as our Lord and Savior but it actually goes beyond this. The Scriptures clearly point to Jesus Christ as our life source. "I am the way, and the truth, and the life... In him was life, and the life was the light of men... I am the resurrection."

Dependence upon Jesus is probably one of the most important truths we must understand. The Apostle Paul explains this very well in Gal. 2:19-21. "For when I tried to keep the law, it condemned me. So I died to the law- I stopped trying to meet all its requirements- so that I might live for God. My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me."

Paul had a passion for the Scriptures. He knew what the Word of God said and he lived by it. But when Jesus Christ came into his life he stopped depending on his own efforts. In other words, he moved forward doing what the Scriptures said but he did so believing that by grace, Jesus would accomplish in him what needed to be done. "So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not treat the grace of God as meaningless."

Christ indwells all born again believers and empowers them as their roots grow down into Him. He said, "Without Me you can do nothing." Jesus explained that He was the vine in John 15:1 and that if we stay connected to Him we will draw from His strength the way a branch draws strength from a tree. Without His strength we will fail.

Those who believe they can latch onto Jesus when trouble comes then walk away from Him when the trouble is gone are not abiding and will ultimately be separated from Christ by the Father. "I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn't produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more." (Jn.15:1-2)

Some believe the term "prunes the branches" means tests and trials, which may indeed be the case but the Scriptures clearly say that pruning is a purification process accomplished by the Word. "You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you." (vs.3)

If we don't abide in Christ he doesn't remain in us and we stop growing. When a vine stops growing, it stops producing so without Jesus there is no fruit and if there is no fruit the branch is removed. "Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me." (vs.4)

Those who try to work independently from Christ are relying on their own efforts and not on Him. In order to succeed we must rely totally on Christ and not on our own strength.

Jesus said that those who obey Him are the ones that love Him along with those who do the will of the Father. He goes on to say that the will of the Father is that we believe and trust Jesus. Those who truly believe will do what He says. "But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do the things which I say?" (Lk.6:46)

Depending upon Jesus means learning about Him and from Him through the Scriptures and applying what we learn to our lives. When we read His words such as, "Forgive those who trespass against you," then hold a grudge against someone who did us wrong, it's fairly obvious that we didn't trust Him, otherwise, we would have done what He said rather than yield to our emotions.

However, obedience hangs upon our dependency on Christ for the strength to endure. We patiently bear troubles without complaining, believing that "...all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." (Rom. 8:28)

The atonement Jesus made at Calvary for our sins is what we depend upon to enter the presence of God. "No one comes to the Father except through me." (Jn.14:6) Those who trust Jesus believe the Father Who said, "This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!" (Mk.9:7) Those who don't depend upon Jesus are demonstrating disbelief in Him, and those who don't believe in Him are opposing the Father. "Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning his Son." (1Jn.5:10)

All who come to Jesus Christ depend upon Him for salvation. Those who reject Him are under the wrath of God. "The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him." (John 3:35-36)

Depending upon Jesus is necessary to bring glory to God. According to Scripture, those who don't produce fruit are not true disciples of Christ. "By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples." (John 15:8)

Therefore, depending on Jesus is to trust him entirely for salvation apart from works done in our own strength. Our faith in Him is demonstrated by our obedience which we also depend upon Him to accomplish in us.

Lastly, these things can be somewhat confusing, especially for newly-born Christians. Suffice it to say that as long as we pray, study the Scriptures, and honestly move forward in our walk with God doing our best to follow the Lord's instructions, the Holy Spirit will teach us what we need to know.

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones." (Prov.3:6)