4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers, and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 But, if you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. (ESV)
I have often wondered what all this means. How does one "abide in Jesus", and how do His words "abide in us?"
Today, the Holy Spirit gave me a simple, yet profound, understanding. The key to my understanding was found in a passage of the Book of Matthew (Chapt 21).
In Mat 21, Jesus is entering Jerusalem for the Feast of Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. He rides into Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives on a donkey. We all know this story. He overturns the money changers tables, chases out the sellers of doves, etc.
The next day while teaching in the temple, after being asked by the pharisees by what authority He has been doing the things, Jesus speaks the "parable of the tenants" to the pharisees (Mat 21:33-44). We also should all be familiar with this parable.
At the end of the parable, Jesus tells the pharisees that because of their (and the Jewish nation's) refusal to believe in Him (i.e., their refusal to believe His word and not allowing it to abide in them), "the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits." (Mat 21:43)
So, by combining these teachings recorded in Mat 21: 43 and John 15:4-7, Jesus has taught us that when His words "abide" in us (i.e., when we believe His word and it dwells within us): (1) we automatically abide in Him, (2) we will receive whatever we ask (according to His will), and (3) we will bear fruit.
So, in summary, a short but powerful lesson is revealed:
- Let the Word of God (remember, Jesus is the Word of God) abide in you by letting it control what you say, how you react to events, and what you do in any situation
- Do this, and you will automatically be abiding in Jesus and He in you, and you will bear much fruit
We must do this to "retrain" our carnal minds and emotions. It takes work -- every day. We must read the Word and allow it to abide in us. This is how we fulfill Rom 12:2, so that we "transform our mind" and not be "conformed to this world." We need to learn God's way of doing things.
Bottom line: As Paul said, "let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly (fully, in all occasions)." (Col 3:16) Do so, and you will indeed bear much fruit.
Time is short. Repent, and prepare your heart for God.
2016 - True Believer
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