John 15:4 “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.”
Have you ever visited a vineyard? The long rows of plants can look almost dead at times, but when the harvest is near and the vines are in full bloom, the yield is magnificent.
The ways that God produces fruit from a twisted plant or hard wooden tree is amazing. Drawing only from soil and water, adding a bit of sunlight, and the produce brings forth all sorts of incredible treats for people to enjoy.
Separate the branch from the vine and see what happens. The leaves go lifeless, the branch withers, and any hope of produce fades quietly away. The branch is no good but to be burned in the fire.
When Jesus was describing the importance of connectivity for God’s people, He likened their relationship with God to a vineyard.
The greek word for ‘abide’ is the term menó. The connotation is for one who abides, continues, dwells, endures, is present, remains, stands, or tarries. When examining the idea of abiding in Christ, like a branch that abides on the vine, we see the spiritual implications revealed.
To Remain: is to not leave. For the believer who has given their life to Christ, remaining in Him is to be steadfast, immoveable, and not deviating from the place God has called you.
John 15:7 “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”
There is great benefit to remaining in Christ. For those who walk with Him, there are promises that endure. Knowing God is to be acquainted with His will and ways. The more you understand, the more specific your prayers become, and He is pleased to answer them.
To Stay: is to remain in a specified state or position. God raises up His people and places them into positions that reflect His glory. He knows His people and sets them where they can be used by Him. If He has called you into fellowship with Him and you feel enticed to leave, where would you go? What in the this world has greater value than walking with God?
John 6:66-68 “After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life”
The apostles knew all too well they could never find life apart from Christ, no matter how difficult the teaching or the journey that was before them.
To Await: for those who know the fellowship of God’s Spirit, who have heard His voice and have experienced His joy, they know there is more to come. Knowing God’s will is one thing, walking in it is another. The cry of the redeemed is consistent…”Lord, what is your will, what is your purpose for me, give me the strength to walk in you and be found faithful”. The Lord is not slow in keeping His promises, they come right on time, every time, and He completes them.
Isaiah 40:31 “but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”
To Continue: for those whom the Lord has began a new work, let them continue to abide in Him..the work is not done. Being persistent in abiding in Christ is to remain steadfast no matter what you see, no matter how you feel, no matter what people say, you know the Lord does not change. The call of the righteous is not for a moment, it’s for an eternity.
Galatians 6:9 “Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
To Endure: is to remain steadfast, no matter what your circumstances entail. For those who know the path to which they’ve been called, they endure because Christ is their strength. They know the source is God and they draw from His well daily. Remaining in the Word is vital, persisting in prayer is of the essence, their supply comes from the vine and they know it well.
2 Timothy 2:10 “Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.”
Believers endure not just for themselves, they endure for those to whom they’ve been called. They endure because the Savior has redeemed them and He is worthy of such sacrifice.
Finally, abiding in Christ is to exist in Him. For the world, existence is just some objective reality that has no meaning or purpose. But for those who exist in Christ, their identity is in Him. This is life, both now and forever.
Acts 17:24-25 “The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.”
Do you feel separated from God today? Does your branch feel weak and lifeless, the leaves are drooping and your heart feels twisted and hard?
Jesus can and will graft you into His vine and you will know life. Once you are grafted, don’t forget where your source comes from. If you have fallen away, come back, that life is still there.
We are all meant to abide in Him, it is an eternal position we are called to exist within forever.
U.T. 