Jesus says in John 15:5, “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.” NKJV

Abiding in Christ

How serious is He? Is it really all that important to live in Him? Jesus is our example, right? So what does He tell us? How does He demonstrate that concept by His life?

He tells us in John 5:19, and 30 NKJV, “the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.” And, “I can of Myself do nothing.” Jesus, Himself, had to depend on the Father.

Can you get through the day without drawing your life from Him? Of course, you can. But it will have no spiritual quality.

As you depend on Jesus you have all His resources and abilities available to you. On your own, you will be left with your limited resources that include your character good qualities and flaws, your weaknesses and strengths.

Does your character include getting angry, critical, or feeling sorry for yourself? Who will that hurt? What damage will your actions leave behind? What pain or disillusionment? What scars?

Abiding in Christ – A Safe Place

So, I say again, how important is it to stay in Christ, abiding in Him, allowing His life to be lived through you? He does not have character flaws, shortcomings, or feelings of self-pity. He has unending love, patience, and kindness.

I give you this promise – His life lived through you will do no harm. Only good. From one who has had anger issues in my past, I cling to that knowledge. I know if I allow Him to live through me, I will do no harm. It is a secure place to be. It is a safe place from which to live your life.

What besetting sin do you deal with? What shortcoming is part of your character? What enslaves you? Come to Jesus. His life lived through you will produce the fruit of the Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, self-control, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness and kindness. See – Galatians 5:22-23. Remember, it is not your fruit; cut off the vine you cannot produce anything spiritual. It is the Holy Spirit’s fruit. Doesn’t that take a load off your shoulders? 

Can those rosebuds bloom if its branch is cut off the bush? It will still be a rose, but it will not bloom. I encourage you to admit your inability to live rightly. See yourself grafted into Christ. His life will flow through you every minute of every day.

Abiding in Christ – Explained by Jesus

What more does Jesus say about this? Read chapter fifteen of John. In fact, read all of John. Jesus reveals so much about Himself in this gospel.

Words to light your path – 

John 15:5 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.

Father God, may we depend on You as Your son, Jesus, depended on you while He was on earth. Help us to follow His example. If He needed to depend on You, how much more do we need to do the same?