Todd Johnson
Family Pastor
John 15:5
“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.”
I have been spending a lot of my personal quiet time lately focusing on John 15. There is so much “meat” to this chapter. What does it mean to you when Jesus says that He is the vine, and we are the branches? Taking the time to read the entire chapter is important as well as doing some side research on how vines and branches work together. The overarching theme of this chapter to me is learning the importance of abiding in Christ. Abiding in Christ is not a feeling or a belief, but something we do. We are to always stay or remain in Christ.
What does it look like for you to abide in Christ? Are you spending time in His word every day and even trying to hide His truths in your heart? The verse above states that we can do nothing if we are not abiding in Him. Walking the Christian life is not the easy road to take, which is why God gives us His word as well as the Holy Spirit to guide us and teach us. I have been focusing on my life and whether I am truly trying to abide in Christ, to stay with Him all day and night. I want my life to be pleasing to the Lord and for my words and actions to reflect Him to others. I challenge you to read the entire chapter of John 15 and let God speak to you on abiding in Him. Put into practice what you learn and see how you will start producing fruit for His kingdom.