Abide in Me

In the post Abide in His Word, Jesus, in John 8, called for An Invitation for Discipleship. We have an invitation to be a learner, a pupil and a follower of Jesus. Now in John 15, after serving as disciples for three years, Jesus is calling for the disciples to continue following Him. This call was for when He left. Remember, Jesus had told them that He was going to the Father. It would be their task, as is all believers in Christ, to continue on in Him until we meet Him or until His return. As He prepared them for His departure, Jesus gave them the most important directive – Abide in Me

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 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 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 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. (NIV)

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 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. (NKJV)

I have read that Fruit bearing is impossible without abiding; but it is inevitable with abiding. The quality and quantity of the fruit may differ, but the fruit will be inevitable. The purpose of the branch is to bear fruit. People don’t raise grape vines to look at the pretty leaves. They take the trouble to cultivate, plant, water and tend the vines so that fruit can be enjoyed. In this sense, we can say that fruit represents Christian character as outlined in the passage on the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5. Are you bearing the fruit of Christ’s character in your life? Jesus says yes if you Abide in Me.

Fruit also implies inherent reproduction. Virtually every piece of fruit has seeds within it, seeds that are meant to reproduce more fruit. Jesus intends on His disciples to reproduce. “18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20 Are you making disciples? Jesus says yes if you Abide in Me. 

Jesus makes it clear that no fruit will be borne if you do not Abide in Me. Jesus emphasizes permanence and steadfastness in His relationship with the disciples. “Abide” is repeated ten times in vv. 4–10. The metaphor of the vine illustrates the point; it is only when nutrients flow freely to the branches that fruit can be borne.

Our Lord is calling Abide in Me. It is up to us to choose appropriately. I know it is hard, but I want to remind you that “were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh… So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh.” Galatians 5.  Jesus says, “Abide in Me”, and you will bear fruit. What will you do?