“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in Me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing." John 15:5
When I look at our backyard garden, at the branches attached to the vines, I see they are only as healthy as the vine. Healthy vines produce healthy branches that bear fruit. If the vine withers, then the branches wither, too, and the fruit never comes.
As Christians, we’re called to abide in Christ, but what does that mean? Jesus tells us in John 15:1, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.”
Galatians 2:20 explains, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”
Abiding seems to indicate “living or remaining in Christ,” so then, how do we abide as branches on His vine? What does that look like?
Let's look at four ways to abide:
1. Abide by staying connected 24/7. Abiding in Christ is not just a Sunday refuel at church, followed by a mid-week Bible study "power drink"; it’s a 24/7, around-the-clock connection to Him. It comes through continually spending time with Him, studying His Word, and praying.
Like the branches in our garden, if not continually connected to the vine, they perish because their life depends on staying attached to the vine. As Colossians 3:3 explains, once we receive Christ, our old life passes away and our new life comes by being connected to Christ: “For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.”
2. Abide by trusting God’s pruning process. God’s pruning process can be painful, but there is a divine purpose to it that increases fruitfulness in our lives. Galatians 5:22-23 describes it this way: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
During these difficult pruning times, we learn more deeply how to trust God in the process. Jesus, in John 15:2, describes God’s pruning method: “He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.”
3. Abide by being hungry and thirsty for Jesus. A thirsty and hungry branch draws its very life from the vine, drawing nourishment it brings growth. Matthew 5:6 assures us, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”
We do this by turning to Christ, hungry and thirsty for His Word each day, and receiving His life to satisfy us. Proverbs 4:22 describes how God’s Word is life to those who find it and health to one’s whole body.
4. Abide by drawing strength from the vine. Like a branch receives strength from the vine, abiding in Christ draws strength from the Vine. Philippians 4:13 assures us that we can turn to Him to strengthen us: “I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.”
This means not trusting in our own strength and efforts and, instead, relying on God to move through us to accomplish His will.
Is it possible to know if we are truly abiding in Christ? Is there evidence to assure us?
Here are four ways to tell:
1. We’re well-watered. Abiding in Christ brings satisfaction that quenches our heart’s desires. It keeps us from endlessly searching the world for things to (temporarily) satisfy our needs.
John 4:14 explains, “But whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
2. We are fruitful. We, and those around us, will see fruit in our lives. Jesus says, “Remain in Me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me” (John 15:4).
3. We have good fruit. Matthew 7:17-20 explains, “Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.”
3. Our prayers are answered. Answered prayers are evidence of our abiding in Christ. Jesus assures us, “If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you” (John 15:7).
Bearing fruit and answered prayers are deeply connected. As John 15:16 describes, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in My name the Father will give you.”
Let’s Pray:
Dear Father,
Help us to abide in Jesus, to draw our strength and life from Him, and to bear much fruit for You.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/amenic181
Lynette Kittle is married with four daughters. She enjoys writing about faith, marriage, parenting, relationships, and life. Her writing has been published by Focus on the Family, Decision, Today’s Christian Woman, kirkcameron.com, Ungrind.org, StartMarriageRight.com, and more. She has a M.A. in Communication from Regent University and serves as associate producer for Soul Check TV.
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