Scripture Reading:
John 15:9-17 Key Verse: John 15:17
‘These things I
command you, that you love one another.’
“Abiding in Christ”
In
John 15, Jesus instructed us to abide in Him. The visual picture is one of a
branch abiding in a vine. Christ taught that God is the Vinedresser, pruning
and shaping the branches so that they will bear much fruit. Abiding means
“remaining and continuing.” It is an active word, even though from a worldly
perspective we often view it as a word of passivity. However, nothing is
farther from the truth. When we abide in Christ, we are in process of growth
unlike anything we have known before.
Notice
how the young tender shoots of the grapevine appear in the spring and begin
running along the arbor. God tenderly watches over His branches and with the
greatest of care and skill cultivates the vine so that is produces a maximum
harvest.
The
sole purpose of the branches is to bear fruit. They are not destined to live on
their own apart from the vine, nor are they allowed to grow wild. They
maintain, they continue, and they rest in the vine.
We
live under the grace of God and are given full access to His infinite peace as
we abide in Him. When turmoil comes, we can go to a place of refuge. It is a
place of abiding contentment in the inner chamber of our hearts. You need never
fear when you are abiding in Christ. His peace and rest are yours.
Precious
heavenly Father, thank You that I have a place of refuge in times of turmoil.
Peace and rest are mine when I abide in You.
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