Good morning,
John 15 is about abiding in Christ. We will learn about vines, branches, and why it is important for the branches to abide in the vine. We will also learn God loves us, calls us His friend, we will be hated by the world, and that Jesus will send us the Comforter, the Holy Spirit of God.
Abiding in Christ (15:4-11)
“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.6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.”
The disciples were familiar with the role of the vinedresser. After a vine is planted, the vinedresser has two duties. First, he cuts off fruitless branches, which take away sap from the fruit-bearing branches. If sap is wasted, the plant will bear less fruit. Then he constantly trims shoots from the fruit-bearing branches so that all the sap is concentrated on fruit-bearing. The fruit-bearing branches are pruned so they will bear more fruit. We know these branches represent Christians, because only Christians can bear fruit. Pruning is not done only once—it is a constant process. The Father prunes a branch so it may bear more fruit. After continual pruning, it bears much fruit.
The nourishment we need, as believers in Christ, is in Jesus Christ. Practically speaking, we need to abide in Christ. Understanding the Bible, who Jesus is, what He has done for us, what He continues to do, and what He will do in the future, helps us to surrender our lives. A surrendered life, is a life ready to abide in the vine. When we abide in Christ, we become more like Jesus. We desire the things that Jesus desires. We choose to fully obey His word. We want to be like Jesus in every way.
The Christian that abides in Christ, produces brings forth much fruit. The fruit here are character qualities, works that glorify God, and ability to see souls come to Christ.
Unfortunately, there are many who claim to be Christians who fail to produce fruit. They are not abiding in Christ. They make a profession of faith, but have no desire to grow in Christ. They expect Jesus to conform to their image of Christianity. They are the tares among the wheat. These are the unfruitful branches.
What kind of fruit are we producing? Much fruit or no fruit? Abiding or colliding with Jesus? Maturing or decaying?
It is God’s will that all true believers abide in Christ.
Are we?
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001
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