April 28 - Abide In Him.

John 15:4
“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.”
 
What does it mean to abide?
Webster tells us…to bear patiently, to endure without yielding, to wait for and accept without objection, to remain stable or fixed in a state.
 
These definitions seem to suggest abiding beside on under something, however if we look at the verse closer, Jesus said “Abide in me, and I in you.”
 
If we are to bear anything patiently, He must dwell in us and we in Him.
We can only endure without yielding to our flesh if we submit ourselves unto Him.
 
Picture a branch on its own… is it alive or dead? 
Every branch we have ever seen by itself has died, or is dying, simply because it left the Vine, its Source of Life. More branches cannot be produced if a branch is no longer connected to the Vine.
 
How are we any different? 
The moment we attempt to live in our own strength, the decline begins. We may not feel a change for a few hours, or maybe even days, but the difference is already there. 
 
Our spiritual life begins to wither and decay the moment we leave the Vine. 
John 15:6
“If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered…”
 
Fruit is impossible without Him.
John 15:5
“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.”
 
Jesus Christ spoke these words on the way to the Garden of Gethsemane. He knew this illustration would soon be seen by His disciples. The vines and branches of every tree within the Garden were a reminder of Him and this truth. 
 
Without Him, we have no fruit.
In Him, we have the opportunity to bring forth much fruit.
 
Much fruit brings glory to God.
John 15:8
“Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.”
 
Much or none…the choice is ours.
Abide in Him today.
 
 
Bible Reading:
Ruth 1   |    Romans 2