John 15:4-8
4 "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
5 "I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing.
6 "If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch, and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
7 "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you.
8 "By
this is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My
disciples.
NAS
In reference to John 15:5
New King James Version (NKJV)
5 “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.
One definition of abide is dwell: to live or reside in a place.
This is an interaction of the deepest kind. Abide “in” Me and I “in” him. This is a relationship of healthy dependency. I trust God and rest in Him and He directs me and uses me on the earth to accomplish His will.
Obviously, God doesn’t need us to get things done, but He wants a continual relationship with us and in this relationship He has set it up so that we are part of what He is doing and working together with Him.
We, as Christians struggle with so many things like anger, depression, fear…..etc. It’s like we somehow got caught up in the current of the world and it requires determination and self-sacrifice to get out of the current.
Many of us are in some type of bondage and live our lives apathetic and disgruntled.
Aren’t we supposed to be the ones with peace that passes all understanding and joyful and powerful against the face of evil? Some of us walk defeated and resemble the world more than we do Christ. What are we missing?
I think this scripture tells us what we are missing. It is about doing one simple act; abiding in Him. The promise is to abide in Him and then you will bear fruit, and the warning is, abide in Him or you can do nothing.
Could it be that simple? I think so. He knows we need “simple”.
Could it be that in His presence things will change in us and what once was a struggle starts falling off like melting snow?
Could it be that as we meditate on His word our focus becomes one with His and we suddenly can think clearer and decisions become easy and profound because of the power that supports His word?
Is it possible to breathe in His essence and step right into the peace, joy and reassurance He desires for us?
Yes, this is all possible if we abide in Him. Abide is simply to hang out with God. Talk to Him, laugh with Him and cry with Him.
I don’t think we really understand our critical need to just be with God.
Every victory we have is dependent on hearing Him and obeying. Even
Jesus, the Son of God said He did nothing without the Father. What
does that tell us? It tells us that if God in flesh needs God in the
Spirit, then we need Him so much more because of our sinful nature.
Challenge: what will it take for you to abide in God?
Marni
| 