4 Remain in Me, and I in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself but must remain in the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in Me. 5 I am the vine, you are the branches; the one who remains in Me, and I in him bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.

John 15:4-5 (NASB)

In this section (verses 1-11) Jesus is using a vine analogy to describe our relationship with Him. He continues that analogy to show the intimate relationship His followers can and need to maintain with Him so as to bear fruit.

Remain ⇒ fruit

Remember when we started chapter 15 I asked you to just read through and study. One action was to look for frequently used words. “Remain” is used 10 times in 7 verses. Jesus is a master teacher (as is the Holy Spirit) so uses repetition. As we remain in Jesus, we will be fruitful. We cannot bear fruit on our own just as a branch not connected to the vine cannot.

Nothing

How much can we accomplish for God’s Kingdom and glory apart from Jesus? NOTHING. How much do we think we can do apart from Him? In those times, the things we think we are doing for Him may look good but will not bear real fruit.

How abide?

So how do we abide in the vine? How do we keep connected to Jesus? First know that the vine is always there – supplying life to all the branches so they can bear fruit. If we find ourselves disconnecting, it’s us who’ve stopped abiding. He will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). If you want to abide, don’t leave.

Another way to think of abiding is sticking with something to the completion. If you start a diet, you stick with it and see the fruit at the end. You don’t give up in the middle when you get that craving. If you have a dream, you keep focused on it, you continue holding onto it when it gets difficult, you don’t let go. If you want to abide, actively stay connected.

To maintain any relationship, we need to communicate. Most of you know to talk to God – through prayer and reading / studying His words, His love letter written to us. Paul calls us to “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) We also should continue to do the good works He prepared for us to do (Eph 2:10) and let our light shine so others can see these good works and glorify God (Matt 5:16).

RЯeflection

• Self-assess. How much do you try to do on your own, apart from Christ? 
• Are you actively abiding in the vine? Do you sense distance? Stop and address it right now.