“Abiding in the Vine"
John 15:1-17
“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.” [John 15:4]
This is the wonderful work of abiding in Christ, though it is not really work. And yet there are so many blessings.
In the late Pastor Chuck Smith’s book, “Why Grace Changes Everything,” there is a chapter called: It’s a Garden Not a Factory. You ought to read it! It is a great illustration of God’s grace. Fruit is cultivated in a garden [not a factory], it is produced naturally on branches in the vine.
It is similar with Spirit-filled fruit. When we abide in Christ we are supernaturally filled with Spiritual fruit. God’s unconditional love, which is God’s supreme fruit, is cultivated in those who abide in the Vine.
Man works in religious factories, God works through His Spirit-filled garden, and there is a vast difference in the two.
We have spent the past few Sundays in the Upper Room discourse. We have seen Jesus pouring into His disciples important truths before He leaves them. He’s taught them how to serve [13:1-17]; He’s commanded them to love [13:31-23]; and by example He has shown them both.
He prophesied “another Helper,” One comparable to Him, the Holy Spirit, “whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him” [John 14:17a]. “…but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.” [John 14:17b] The filling [and working] of the Spirit from within is key.
This brings us to the final “I am” declaration in the Gospel of John: “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” [John 15:5]
How can we abide in Christ? Firstly, we must be set apart from the world while living in the world [ref. John 17:15-18].
And then secondly, we must remain in fellowship, in prayer, in worship, and in His word.
These are vital ways of abiding in the Vine and cultivating real spiritual fruit.
