Abiding in Christ

MEMORY VERSE: “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” —John 15:5

JOHN 1:1-12

IN THE time of Jesus, many of Israel’s steep hillsides were terraced and used for the cultivation of grapes. His disciples, therefore, would well understand the import of his teachings as presented in this Parable of the Vine and the Branches. They would be acquainted with the fact that there was a husbandman, whose responsibility it was to care for the grapevines, removing the nonbearing branches and pruning the bearing branches in order that they might bear more fruit.

In the parable Jesus said, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.” Some seem to think that the “branches” in this vine are the various denominational groups which profess union with Christ, the true vine. But this is not the thought at all. The context clearly indicates” that the “branches” are individual followers of the Master, each of whom is vitally associated with him who is the “true vine.’“

Jesus said, “Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.” (vs. 3) “Abide in me,” Jesus continued, “and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me” (vs. 4) Jesus emphasized that he who abides in him “bringeth forth much fruit.”—vs. 5

What is this “fruit”? It is the fruit of the Holy Spirit spoken of by Paul. He wrote, “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” (Gal. 5:22,23) The fruit of a vine is designed by God to give benefit to someone. Love which does not motivate one to lay down his life for others is not a true fruit. All “the fruit of the Spirit” should make one more Christ like, and Christ laid down “his life that others might live.

Jesus said, “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” (vs. 7) By some this has been taken to mean that followers of Jesus may ask the Heavenly Father for any favor that may suit their fancy, and it will be granted to them. These fail to note the conditions attached to seeking favors from the Lord. “If ye abide in me,” Jesus said, “and my words abide in you.” Those who abide in Christ, as branches in the “true vine,” those in whom the words or teachings of Jesus abide, will request only those blessings which are in harmony with the divine will.—I John 5:14

These will not ask for earthly riches, nor for fame. These have covenanted to lay down their lives following in the footsteps of Jesus; so the burden of their prayers will not be for health nor for long earthly life, but for strength and wisdom to serve the Lord as it seems best to him. Thus, in this full surrender to the will of the “Husbandman,” they will rejoice in whatever “pruning” experiences divine wisdom sees best for them: Thus they will bear “much fruit” and will glorify the Heavenly Father.

Jesus said, “As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.” (vs. 9) Those who continue in the true love of Jesus will remain in the “Vine” This is possible, Jesus explained, by keeping his commandments. Jesus kept the Father’s commandments and thus abode in his love. Jesus continued, “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” (vs. 11) The joy of the Lord is always the blessed portion of those who abide in divine love.

Jesus’ commandment was, “That ye love one another, as I have loved you.” (vs. 12) How great was Jesus’ love for his disciples? It was a love which led him to lay down his life for them. He speaks of them as friends and says, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” Then he adds, “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.” (vss. 13,14) We, then, are to lay down our lives for one another; and it will be this fruit of love which will glorify the Heavenly Father.

QUESTIONS

Relate the Parable of the Vine and the Branches.

What is the “fruit”?

What is required to offer effective prayers?

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