Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5) Throughout Jesus’ earthly ministry, He asked His disciples to come to Him, follow Him, believe in Him, and learn from Him. However, the connection that Jesus is asking for in John 15:5 is the most intimate. Some translate “remain” as “abide”. To abide in Jesus is to have a living union that is completely dependent upon the nourishment, strength, and support of another; like grapes rely on the grapevine.. Friends, what are you and I dependent on for our mental, emotional, spiritual nourishment?
Where do you and I receive our strength to persevere through today’s challenges? Where does our support come from to endure the winds of adversity and challenge within our lives? Jesus promises that when we remain in Him, stay connected to Him, and closely abide in Him … we
will bear fruit and without Him we will bear no fruit! What fruit? How important is the fruit? Galatians 5:22-23 answers those questions for us. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Do you desire this type of fruit in your life? Then … stay close to Jesus. – Pastor Bryce
