Abide
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” (John 15:1–2 NIV)
Jesus calls Himself the true vine. A vine grows from the root, sending life through every branch. To remain connected to Him is to receive that life, to bear fruit that lasts. Maximum fruitfulness requires pruning, and pruning is painful. But pain in His hands always leads to greater productivity. Dead wood only weakens and harms the vine.
“And if it is painful to bleed, it is worse to wither. Better to be pruned to grow than cut up to burn.”–John Trapp
Pruning comes through the cleansing power of God’s Word.
“You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.” John 15:3 (NIV)
The Word of God condemns sin, creates a hunger for holiness, cultivates growth, and stirs hope. We need both an initial cleansing and a continual cleansing as we walk with Him.
Abiding is the two-way work of life in Christ: we dwell in Him, and He dwells in us. His Spirit indwells us, His presence sustains us, His Word feeds us like sap flowing through the vine. Apart from Him, we can do nothing of eternal value.
“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 (NIV)
A person may be influential but still fail to produce fruit that lasts.
Only abiding in Christ produces eternal fruit.
Fruit leads to seeds, and seeds bear more fruit. That’s the multiplication of abiding. But activity alone does not equal abiding. Eternal productivity does not happen without connection to the vine.
Answered prayer flows out of abiding.
“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” John 15:7 (NIV)
To sit with Him in His Word creates a constant stream of conversation between God and us. In prayer, our withered branches are pruned away—our selfish wants, our limited understanding, our small attempts at control. Abiding exchanges our mind for the mind of Christ, so that our desires align with His will.
“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.” John 15:16 (NIV)
The primary producer of lasting fruit is prayer. As we abide in Christ, His life flows through us, His Word shapes us, and His Spirit empowers us. This is the only way to live a fruitful life—connected to the true vine.
