Food for Thought

"Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be my disciples. As the Father loved Me , I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full." John 15:4-11

Jesus repeated the word abide ten times in the passages above emphasizing His relationship with us. Abide in Greek is the verb meno, meaning to stay in a given place, relation, or expectancy; to continue, endure, remain, or stand. Jesus and the disciples were traveling to the garden of Gethsemane after leaving the upper room as He spoke of the vine and the branches.

Jesus connects us through Him as a vine connects its many branches. God dresses the vine pruning its branches to bear more fruit. Jesus nourishes us to produce fruit in our lives. Not just any fruit, much spiritual fruit. And why? That His Father, our Father God, may be glorified. Do you desire to glorify God?

He tells us how we will bear this fruit. First, through, and only through remaining in Him. As He resides in the believer He provides life, wisdom, strength, and joy. Are you choosing to draw from the nourishing resource in you? Second, through His words. Do you spend quality time reading in, praying over, and meditating on his word?

Additionally, He tells how to abide in Him. We are to keep His commandments for love and joy, and that joy will be full. JOY that is full! What more could we desire than to have joy that is complete through Jesus Christ. Are you abiding in Him and His word or are you becoming a withering branch?

Once you accept Jesus Christ as your savior and Lord, His Holy Spirit enters your heart and resides in you equipping you and making you a disciple. We are forgiven sinners appointed to go and bear fruit in the name of Jesus Without Him we can do nothing. What about you?

As much as Jesus was speaking to His twelve disciples he was speaking to you. Are you choosing to live a fruitful life through Him? Abiding is a step in leading a fruitful life. It is Gods desire for you. Is it yours? Pray about it. Read John 15 for yourself and pray that God will speak to you through His word. It may just change your life and lives around you.



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