“You are
already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 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. 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 15:3-5 NKJ)
already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 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. 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 15:3-5 NKJ)
Eminent Baptist
theologian, George Beasley-Murray regularly explained the meaning of abide to his students. “To lean back
against something with all your weight is to abide. Sitting down with your back
to a tree and letting yourself completely relax against it is to abide. Letting
your body’s full weight sink down into softness of a bed is to abide. Resting
and sleeping confidently in the comfort of the bed is to abide.”
theologian, George Beasley-Murray regularly explained the meaning of abide to his students. “To lean back
against something with all your weight is to abide. Sitting down with your back
to a tree and letting yourself completely relax against it is to abide. Letting
your body’s full weight sink down into softness of a bed is to abide. Resting
and sleeping confidently in the comfort of the bed is to abide.”
I am reminded of the
precious old hymn: Leaning on the Everlasting
Arms. There is joy in those everlasting arms. There is fellowship in
those everlasting arms. There is peace and comfort in those everlasting arms.
“Oh, how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way, leaning on the everlasting
arms. Oh, how bright the path grows from day to day, leaning on the everlasting
arms.” It is the theme song of those who abide in Christ.
precious old hymn: Leaning on the Everlasting
Arms. There is joy in those everlasting arms. There is fellowship in
those everlasting arms. There is peace and comfort in those everlasting arms.
“Oh, how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way, leaning on the everlasting
arms. Oh, how bright the path grows from day to day, leaning on the everlasting
arms.” It is the theme song of those who abide in Christ.
Evidently, this is
not the first time Jesus has told his disciples to abide in him. In today’s
passage, he tells them: “You already are clean because of the word which I
have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you.”
not the first time Jesus has told his disciples to abide in him. In today’s
passage, he tells them: “You already are clean because of the word which I
have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you.”
And since he
reiterates it here, we may understand his not-so-subtle hint to mean that our
abiding in him must be a continual residing . . . an enduring commitment. Such
instruction can almost be insulting. Why would anyone be cleansed by Christ’s
sacrifice on Calvary and not endure with him to the end? It is impossible to
produce his fruit without a continuous connection in him.
reiterates it here, we may understand his not-so-subtle hint to mean that our
abiding in him must be a continual residing . . . an enduring commitment. Such
instruction can almost be insulting. Why would anyone be cleansed by Christ’s
sacrifice on Calvary and not endure with him to the end? It is impossible to
produce his fruit without a continuous connection in him.
Fruit is the product
of the vine and can only be produced if the branch is firmly connected to the
vine. The production of fruit continues only as long as the branch-vine
connection endures. It is so profound yet so simple as to be easily ignored and
forgotten. And yet, we can not produce Christ-like fruit except we abide in
Christ.
of the vine and can only be produced if the branch is firmly connected to the
vine. The production of fruit continues only as long as the branch-vine
connection endures. It is so profound yet so simple as to be easily ignored and
forgotten. And yet, we can not produce Christ-like fruit except we abide in
Christ.
Dear Father, thank
you for Christ and the victory of Calvary. Enable us to daily abide in him and
your amazing grace. I pray this in the holy name of Jesus. AMEN
you for Christ and the victory of Calvary. Enable us to daily abide in him and
your amazing grace. I pray this in the holy name of Jesus. AMEN
Abide in Christ
today,
today,