Remain!

Remain!

John 15:4 AMP

[4] Remain in Me, and I [will remain] in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself without remaining in the vine, neither can you [bear fruit, producing evidence of your faith] unless you remain in Me.

Jesus was speaking to His disciples at this time, which was close to His appointment with destiny. He had spent more than three years with these men; they had gone out with Him on different occasions, and seen Him perform mighty miracles. They had heard Him challenge the leaders of His day, laying out the truths of His kingdom to all who would listen. But here He was now, away from the crowd and with the men who had walked with, listened to, and seen Him at work. This was the time for private reflection. It is instructive to note that as soon as Jesus washed the feet of His disciples, He sat down and spoke with them over almost 4 chapters of the book of John. No other person is on record as being in those meetings, just the disciples. What this tells me is that the messages in these chapters are not for the umcommitted crowd, but for followers of Jesus. 

The demand in these verses are not for people who do not know who or whose they are, but for people who are clear about their identity, purpose and direction. Does this in any way describe me? The verse above lays out one of the conditions that a follower of Jesus must adhere to, and that is to 'remain' IN Jesus. An online dictionary defines 'remain' as "to stay in the same place, continue in a particular state, or be left over when others have gone". Reflect on that: to stay in the same place. You are not undecided; you are firm about your choices. You know what God demands, and you are willing and ready to stay in place for God to use you however and whenever He may please. You are not the type to go out and come in when you please, or whenever it catches your fancy; you are fully committed to the purpose of God for your life, and it is your daily pursuit. 

That is a life that fully understands what it means to remain. Other people may do a thing and seemingly 'get away' with it; you know you answer to a different master, and cannot do what others are doing. Why this is important is the second part of the verse above: the issue of continuing fruitfulness. I was made in the image of God, and it will be to His glory if my life reflects His nature. I cannot take anything outside of God to improve on that which is God's; only that which God supplies can bring glory to God. How can that which belongs to the flesh bring glory to the name of the Lord? How can a man live to please the flesh, and also glorify God at the same time? I can only take of that which is God's, to impact the world for Him, and to bring Him glory. If He is not God of ALL in your life, it means He is actually not the Lord of your life. Am I abiding IN Him, or am I seeking alternative comfort zones outside of Him? If my life will mean something, it must be totally surrendered to God. Is mine? Is yours? God's time of favour is here.