The Sweetest Word He Ever Gives

"Abide in me, and I in you. For just as the branch cannot bear any fruit unless it abides in the vine, so you can produce nothing unless you abide in me." John 15

We talk about the "life of Abiding" so much and so often that I am completely used to, completely expectant of, the question that almost always immediately follows: "Yes, but what is 'Abiding'?" Fortunately for me, I don't ever have to answer myself, because Jesus gives the best definition by His use of direct comparison.

"For just as​ the branch cannot bear any fruit unless it ABIDES in the vine, so you can produce nothing unless you ABIDE in me." We should understand the words "Abide in me, and I in you" just as literally and clearly as we can see the workings of a branch and vine. The branch is part of the vine, shares the life of the vine, unreservedly accepts the sap of the vine, and bears the exact fruit of the vine from which it grows. It doesn't appear to fret much, to question, to take itself very seriously; it simply hangs on, lives and bears fruit.

Jesus is saying to us: "Come. Be part of me. Share my life. Be infused with my Holy Spirit. Bear the fruit I bore. Don't fret; no need to question; stop taking yourself so seriously - simply live in me and I in you. I cannot fail to bear my own fruit through you."

Brothers and Sisters, may we take full advantage of the intimacy and joy that are daily offered by sourcing our lives in Jesus' life. Let us, everyday, every minute of every day, Abide in Him. This is​ the Way.