As Christians and true followers of Christ we have a longing and a desire to have an intimate and personal relationship with Christ.  Perhaps the greatest example of what it means to have this close relationship with Christ is found in John 15 as Jesus uses the metaphor of a vine and its branches.  As we all know a branch cannot survive and live on its own apart from being attached to the living, giving vine. 

Jesus explains in John 15:5 “I am the vine; you are the branches.  Whoever abides in me and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”   Prior to that Jesus lays out and explains to His disciples[Us] the essence of how God the Father in this metaphor is the vinedresser, who prunes the vine so that it will produce more fruit and He cuts of the dead branches that have not produced any. v1,2 and then Jesus says in v4 “Abide in Me, and I in you.  As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you abide in Me.”   The fruit that Jesus is talking about is the Spiritual fruit found in Galatians 5:22,23 through the work of the Holy Spirit abiding and dwelling within us. 

As Jesus clearly says and we understand that a branch cannot, in of itself, produce anything without the life-giving support of being attached to the vine.  Just as you and I cannot survive without the life-giving support of God’s provision who sustains all living, breathing creatures.  Job 12:6 “In the hands of God is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind.”   

Two additional verses of truth that speak to life and living is found in Acts 17:28 “For in Him we live and move and have our being.”  And in Romans 14:7,8  “ For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself.  For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord.  Therefore, whether we live or die we are the Lord’s.”

To abide in Christ is to completely trust, depend and rely on Him for everything in your[our] lives.  He is our life source and the fountain of living water in our lives.  The simple definition of abide is to remain, be attached, dwell, and be connected to Him.  We do this daily through the reading of scripture – prayer- study- and meditation on the word of God.  Just like a branch must get its life sustaining nutrients through the vine we to must remain attached to Christ Jesus to nourish our spiritual well-being. 

We see how Jesus continues to say in John 15:7  “ If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.”  and then Jesus tells us the importance of obedience in keeping His commandments and abiding in His love v10.  And the results of abiding in Him will bring about great joy and love in our hearts, v11.   

Jesus speaks to our hearts and says in John 15:13 “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.  v14  You are My friends, if you do whatever I command you.”  

Abiding in Jesus is believing in His faithful promises of eternal life everlasting.  Keeping His love and words in our heart, minds and souls so as to shape, mold and sanctify us in becoming more like Christ and filling us with Joy and peace beyond measure.  1 John 4:19 “We love Him because He first loved us.”

Start today – Don’t delay and change your life - Let the power of God’s words speak to you and be filled with a peace, love and joy beyond measure.  

Find additional inspiration and encouragement found in the books “Finding Calm in the Storm of Everyday Living” or “Heart and Soul” either going to Amazon directly or hitting home at the top of this blog and scrolling down to the books.  .