“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 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. 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. 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. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
Ask and it will be given.
Keep my commandments.
These statements have been used and abused to justify our selfish desires.
Abiding in the vine, in Jesus, changes you. It changes your wants, your desires, and the way you think. If we abide in the vine, we abide in the love of God. Jesus’s desires become our desires.
So that keeping his commandments is out of love, not status or achievement.
Abiding in the vine is about, literally growing as a branch to reach out and grow fruit. If we are each a branch then how many could we reach.
We are stronger when we abide together in the vine to bear fruit.
It great to have alone time with God but we draw so much strength from gathering together too.
Abide in the vine that is Jesus. Abide in his love and you will bear his fruit.
