| Abide in Christ |
| Written by Eli Miller |
| Thursday, 21 April 2011 08:54 |
|
Jesus had finished His last meal with the twelve disciples and they were walking through the darkened streets of Jerusalem. Along the way, He began teaching them of the importance of staying in proper relationship with Him. Knowing His followers would clearly understand the illustration, He used the analogy of a vine. For approximately 31/2 years, Jesus had trained the apostles. Now it was time for Him to be offered for the sin of the world. The Master knew all of His disciples would shrink away in fear during the hours ahead. Even Peter would deny knowing Him before morning. The Savior would have to face the ordeal before Him alone. Knowing all of this, Jesus said, “I am the vine, you are the branches.” (John 15:5) He was not speaking to people who only had vague association with Him. The Lord wanted to teach His disciples how to be fruitful in their devotion to Him. He said, “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can you, except you abide in Me.” (John 15:4) These words would ring in their ears a few hours later when all forsook Him. The Lord explained to His followers how each branch would be individually examined. Those which brought forth fruit would be cleansed, so greater fruit-bearing could be experienced. Branches not bearing fruit would be taken away. He was teaching what is expected of all who claim relationship to Christ. The Husbandman is looking for fruit, not activity and programs. Fruit of any plant is really the ultimate life of the root-stock. Therefore care must be taken to plant the proper seed. Poor-quality seed will produce poor-quality fruit. Jesus used the example of fruitfulness to show the intended purpose of all who claim to bear His name. Believers are to live in such a way that the very life of Christ is seen through them. Such expression is only possible by maintaining proper relational attachment to Him. Unfortunately, many of today’s church-goers think the Christian life can be lived apart from vital connection with Jesus – the vine. This is as plausible as expecting some dead stick to produce A-1 quality fruit. It is simply impossible. Jesus put it this way, “apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5) Mere religious form will never be acceptable to the Husbandman. He planted a perfect seed – Jesus – and will accept nothing less of the fruit, i.e. our life; this is possible only through an abiding relationship with the Lord Jesus. Putting it into the framework of our example – the branch must stay connected to the vine to produce fruit! What does it mean to abide in Christ? It means to consciously maintain dependence upon Jesus for our source of spiritual life. It is an attitude of submission to His will and purpose. Giving continual consent to remain in such a frame of mind will enable the life of Christ to be seen in the believer. Fruitfulness is the inevitable result of a connected branch! Jesus wanted His first disciples – and us – to have these principles clearly in focus in the dark hour of betrayal. His words would ring in their ears in the hours ahead. So-called believers who refuse to live in an attitude of dependence upon Christ will gradually slip into irrelevance and apostasy. The ensuing result will be dead, meaningless form, devoid of any useful purpose. Religion is always man’s substitute for relationship. Pruning awaits. Are you bearing fruit? If not - why not? |