Grafted Into His Grace

Grated Into His GraceEDITOR’S NOTE: Dr. Johnny Sanders sent this interesting devotion note from Dr. Ray Newbold. (Dr. J. Mike Minnix, Editor, www.pastorlife.com)Beneath the surface on a tree, between the bark and the wood, is a layer of spongy material called the cambium. The cambium is the plant’s version of embryonic stem cells that give rise to both bark and wood, neither of which is the texture of the cambium.Not only are the wood and bark different in appearances; but also, their roles in the plant are also different. The bark protects the plant from external injury and from the elements of heat and cold, while the wood gives the plant strength to stand upright and serves as a channel for water and nutrients to move from the soil to the crown.To graft successfully a cutting from another plant to a new stem, the cambium layers must align so they can grow together. A branch that cannot receive sustenance and grow will die.The living God creates and sustains humankind. Our faith in Jesus is the cambium that joins us to His grace. Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me, you can do nothing.” John 15:5 (NIV®)Although as Christians we play different roles in the church body, we are alike in our branch-status, and the role of God’s vine-status gives us life. Jesus’ death and resurrection powers our salvation, but the graft of our faith to God’s grace redeems us from our sin.Dr. Ray A. NewboldProfessor of Forestry,Louisiana Tech UniversityDeacon, FBC RustonMission Work in England