“ABIDE in Me, 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.” (John 15:4) Thus, the opening line to today’s consideration below, one of the many power-filled and significant statements our Lord made in his earthly sojourn.
I LOVE the spring watching my backyard slowly come to life. Then there are the later months when the warm temperatures cause the figs to ripen as some of the more delicate flowers begin to fade. Plants that I had pruned in the fall that literally bled sap from the cutting seemed all but dead during the winter months awaking go through the annual seasonal dance. If I hadn’t known better, I would have thought I killed them in the fall after hauling the pruned and lifeless branches and leaves off to the trash heap. But no, the lengthening of spring days with warming sun and moisture in the air finds little spots of green that eventually bring forth leaf and blossom, and promise of summer fruit and seed. It’s hard to perceive and appreciate all this in our busy lives, it happens so slowly, but it does happen, if the branch abides – remains connected.
RECENTLY as I was doing cleanup in the backyard, raking and removing plant debris, I found a dead and withered berry branch tangled in amongst the living branches. Somehow it got severed at some point, and lost its connection, its source to energy and life. There are seasons enjoying an abundance of berries that brought much pleasure from this corner of the garden. But as I gazed upon this severed branch surrounded by bright green and healthy vines, all I saw was a disconnected brown lifeless vine that would produce no fruit, ever.
JOHN 15 came to mind in that moment, also remembering when our faithful to the Scriptures pastor referenced Gal. 1:6 quoting “I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ”. Actually, I like the way KJV puts it better, “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ”. That branch that I had to “remove” from its place had only one destination, having no use at all either now or in the future. Had it remained “connected,” abiding as it were, it would have produced beauty for the eye, sweet food for others, and seeds of life for the future.
THE lesson is more than that of course; for this reality to occur, there is much more that is really going on beneath the surface of the soil, between the branch and vine, and the intricate design of nature. We cannot replica the marvel and mystery of it all. The wonder is held in the mind and power of the creator who makes fruit gardens happen, and as our author shows us below this mirrors, is a metaphor of, the wondrous and immutable process going on reflected in our Position in Christ, in particular in our reconciliation and assurance that is our current consideration.
WELL, I have gone long here. There are many scriptures included below, pearls on a string of great value. Consider them prayerfully and carefully as we near the close of this chapter.
In the wondrous blessings of Christ,
Joe
Neh. 8:10, Isa. 30:15 & Job 2:10
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Chapter 21—Reconciliation and Acceptance – Continued
“Abide in me [your position], 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. 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 15:4, 5). Although we abide in the Lord Jesus as our position, we are ever aware of our condition in ourselves. We are concerned about the sinfulness of self, but no longer do we depend upon improvement in that realm for our acceptance. We are resting in a position, in a Person who is fully and forever accepted by God, One in whom there is no improvement necessary or possible. We have exchanged unimproveable self for the perfect One.
Established in our position, we become increasingly aware of our acceptance in Him and are more free to fellowship with our Father. In this blessed communion we grow, becoming more manifestly conformed to His image. “…We all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Cor. 3:18). We are basically Christ-centered, instead of self-centered. Through our position in Him we have peace, joy and fellowship which abide all along our cross-centered path as our spiritual condition is developed.
One of the foremost benefits of resting in our position of acceptance is the deep and undying assurance that God is for us. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end” (Jer. 29:11). “…Having made peace through the blood of his cross…” (Col. 1:20). “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus… If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Rom. 8:1, 31). …to be continued
