Abide!

Abide!

John 15:4-5 KJV

[4] Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. [5] I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

I am again reminded of the important truth, that location defines allocation. Where you are will determine what you get and where you reach. Who you know will also influence the circle of influence you have. These truths impact both the earthly and eternal phases of life. The verses above make that clear yet again: there is a need to abide in Christ. What Christ has done is that He has made a way for us to be reconciled to God. Sin had done a number on us, separating us from God as well as creating a gulf for all of eternity that nothing else could bridge, except the blood that was shed on the cross. By that sacrifice, all of the past burdens of sin have been dealt with permanently, and room has been made for me where Christ is seated, which is at the right hand of God. If that is where He is, and I am in Him, that is where I am also. The current physical reality may not look like it, but that is the message of faith and hope, that we know who we are, whose we are, and where we are headed. 

The picture of a tree/vine and its branches are presented to us here: it is one of dependence and sustenance by abiding. The vine is able to bear the weight of the branches, and is able to supply ALL that the branches need in order to thrive. If any branch decides to 'branch off' on its own, would that be the fault of the vine? The vine has never said it cannot supply all that the branch needs, and there is no need or demand of the branch that the vine is not able to solve. The picture here is one of willing surrender, as God does not force Himself on anyone, and He will not go against the exercise of my freewill. Whatever He commands, He will supply sufficient grace for it, as long as I totally depend on Him, I am sure of the supply that meets the demands of my life, generation or dispensation. To abide is to remain; it is not a conditional statement, but one that says "I am in it for the whole journey, no matter what comes my way'. Is that true for you? 

If bearing fruit and impacting lives mean much to you, the secret has been revealed in the verses above. The identity of the vine has been revealed, and the limitations and total dependence of the branches on the vine have also been laid out quite clearly. The branch, no matter how fruitful it becomes, will NEVER become the vine. It is good for me to respect and recognise my limitations, and to rely solely on that which the vine produces. It is clear from the verses above that apart from the vine, the branches count for nothing. The vine is able to produce fruit, because it is a self-sustaining vine. It is a privilege for me to be counted as a branch connected to a never- ending supply of nutrients and nourishment. Do not see this as an opportunity to promote your own idea of self-importance, but to take all the vine provides and show off to the world the grace that has been made available for you. Let the world can see the benefits and blessings that come from being connected to God. If indeed I am a child of God, it must be seen in the fruits I bear. God's time of favour is here.