"Son of man, how is the wood of the vine better than any other wood, the vine branch which is among the trees of the forest?” (Ezekiel 15:2)

God wants you to know you’re like a grape vine that bears fruit, but in yourself, you’re nothing. You bear good fruit only because He’s changed you into a useful vine and carefully grafts you onto the walls of His temple, to bring forth fruit for His glory. But what are you without God? What are you without the indwelling Holy Spirit producing “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23)? 

 There’s no reason to say “look at me!” Whatever you are and whatever you have, and whatever you’ve done, it’s all because of God. The more you have, the more you owe to God, and deserve no praise. 

 Think about what you were before God saved you, and then imagine how much worse you’d be today if God had left you in your sin. Now consider how much more God could use you if you obey the Holy Spirit in all things. Doesn’t your conscience convict you of laziness and compromise? The best way to see yourself is a worthless servant who can only do good things “through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). 

 Therefore, don’t be proud, even if God’s given you the grace to command an empire. Remember what happened to Nebuchadnezzar when he said, “Is not this great Babylon that I have built ... by my mighty power?" (Daniel 4:30). There isn’t a single thing you can call your own except your sin and misery. Oh, what delusion makes us think God gives us grace because of some goodness in us? Lord, help us to see ourselves as debtors to Christ, who alone makes us righteous.