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. (John 15:5 NKJV)

Our pastor is doing a really relevant sermon series that it is hitting home with me. Like the branches of a vine, we will wither and die apart from Christ. This is true both for the believer and more so with the unbeliever. Even after we come to faith in Christ, we must stay connected so that we might be nourished and grow. If we believe but do not do this, our belief becomes dry and unproductive. Only when we are in Christ can we hope to bear fruit.

We do not use the term “abide” much these days. However, it is perfect for this verse. Many translations use the word “remain”, this too fits but is not as descriptive in my mind. Yes, we need to remain in Him, but to abide is to take up residence there. To be so close that we are simply…abiding in Him. The relational tense just feels right to me.

Reflect on: Are you abiding in Christ and producing fruit.