Abiding In Him

In John 15:1-4, Jesus uses the analogy of a vine and it's branches to discuss
the closeness of the relationship between Himself and his disciples.

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandmen. Every
branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and
every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may
bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word
which I have spoken unto you. 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."

Jesus says that if we want a life that is fruitful, then we must find
ourselves in him. Notice what he does not say. He does not say that it is
sufficient to just be near him. A branch "near" to the vine would still not
be receiving the necessary nutrients to survive. Some folks want to be just
as near to Jesus as possible, yet not be IN him. They look like they are
"religious", but it is only symbolic: in truth, they are still separated from
him. One must be IN Him: growing out of Him and living by His will.

On the other hand, just being attached to the vine is not sufficient. If the
branch is not bearing fruit, then it will be cut off. Some folks wonder why
their spiritual life feels empty. It may be because they are not bearing
fruit. They are "hanging" onto the vine but not growing (living) from it.
Until they begin to bear fruit, their association with the vine will be in
jeopardy. One day the Husbandman may
come along and cut them off to give more room to other branches that are
bearing fruit.

Jesus wants us to understand we can have life, and have it abundantly, "He
that abideth in me ... the same bringeth forth much fruit ..." (John 15:5).
We can, if we will believe that only by abiding in Him, will we do so. [JW]