“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.”

John 15:4 

Here is the secret to the Christian life:

Abide in Jesus.

To abide is to remain with, to live on, hold on. Jesus is saying, “live in me, stay close to me, trust me.” 

This is the secret to the Christian life:

to live in the power of Jesus,

the hope of Jesus,

and the grace of Jesus.

To be confident in his love for you. 

When we abide in him the life of Jesus is manifested in our souls by the Holy Spirit. This is when you are full of faith, joy, and hope. It is a result of abiding in Christ.

Notice that he also says he will abide with you!

He abides in your life.

That is his unforced choice…you.

Jesus points out that the only way for a branch to bear fruit is to abide in the vine. If the branch is separated from the vine it not only does not bear fruit, but it withers. 

Jesus is saying that our connection to him is vital (absolutely necessary or important; essential).

Look at the next words from Jesus:

“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.”

John 15:5

The Christian life is not just hard, it is impossible.

Only Jesus has ever lived the Christian life perfectly. 

What he is saying here is "let me live my life through you and in you. Let me rearrange, eliminate, build up and cleanse. Let my vitality flow in you."

Here are 6 tips to abide in Christ:

1.) Pray (try using the Lord’s prayer or the Psalms if you don’t know what to pray)

2.) Repent everyday (turn from sin to him)

3.) Prioritize the Lord’s day (Sunday) worship with the church community

4.) Read Scripture (ask me for tips if you like)

5.) Give a portion of your income as an offering to the Lord

6.) Rest in his grace

May you abide in the Vine today!

Grace and peace,

Pastor Harvey