- John 15:1-5 - I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. 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. 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.
- Galatians 2:20 - I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
- John 14:10 - Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
Abiding in the Lord is not about trying to impress God; it is about surrendering everything to Him. Today's verses show us that Jesus is the vine. We cannot impress God or earn His favor through our own efforts. Our calling is to do what branches do: abide in the Lord. While this sounds simple, it is perhaps one of the boldest steps of faith.
The Holy Spirit manifests the life of Christ in the life of every believer. This process is known by various names: a transformed life, a Spirit-filled life, a life of abiding. From the outside, it may look like the branch is not doing much. But a life of abiding is by no means a passive life. Jesus was the perfect example of a Spirit-filled life, and He certainly didn't just sit and wait. He served actively with energy derived from divine power. All of Christ's wisdom, knowledge, and courage came from God through the Holy Spirit.
The fruit of the Spirit is not created by forcing ourselves; it grows through surrender. We take root in the Heavenly Father by meditating on His Word, praying, and serving. We hold back nothing for ourselves, trusting Him completely. This is not a passive life. This is the life of abiding in the Lord.
Reflection
What area of your life are you trying to keep control of today, and what do you need to do to fully surrender it to the Lord?
