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No branch of a tree ever flourishes and bears fruit without being attached to the main tree.\u00a0 By attaching to the tree, the branches have access to the supply of water and nutrients for survival, growth and fruitfulness.\u00a0 Also, the branch could withstand the disaster of wind storms because it is anchored to the tree.\u00a0 Generally, the branch draws life from the tree (it\u2019s source) and without the tree, the branch withers and becomes good for nothing but \u2018food\u2019 for fire.<\/p>\n
The Lord describes the relationship between Himself and His followers in terms of the \u201ctrue\u201d vine and the branches while the Father is the vine keeper.\u00a0 The life of the believer is exactly like that of the branch and the vine.\u00a0 The believer is to remain connected to Christ for His life to flow through him and produce spiritual fruits.\u00a0 It is obvious that a life that does not abide in Christ is a worthless and dead life.\u00a0 It is a life tossed and blown around by the enemy; a life cut-off from the source.\u00a0 This study seeks to encourage the believers to remain in Christ, the true vine, to trust and depend absolutely on Him, live in obedience to the word and in His love.<\/p>\n
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Jesus used the analogy of the branch and the vine stating that, the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abides in the vine.\u00a0 Jesus said he is the vine, while we are the branches, except the branch remain attached to the vine, it can bear no fruit.\u00a0 In the same vein, except we remain in Christ we cannot have contentment and sufficiency.\u00a0 As the branch cannot exist without the vine, we can do nothing without Him.<\/p>\n
To abide in Christ therefore, means to remain in Christ.\u00a0 This implies not having any substitute, alternative, or \u201cplan B\u201d to following Christ.\u00a0 It is an absolute dependence and trust in Christ.\u00a0 It is a resolve to hold tenaciously to Christ in spite of all situations.\u00a0 It is a non-conditional mindset to be in Christ and follow Him always.\u00a0 Such an individual must treasure the word of God and fellowship with God.<\/p>\n
Abiding in Christ is more than being a church member.\u00a0 Although it is good to go to church and belong to a local assembly, it is more important to have a personal relationship with God, through the Lord Jesus Christ.\u00a0 That is the only thing that counts and can pass through the test of time unto eternity; it is Christ in you, the hope of glory.\u00a0 Everyone is therefore encouraged to deliberately seek fellowship and remain in fellowship with Christ.<\/p>\n
The starting point for abiding is first to be attached as a branch to the vine, i.e. you must become a part of the vine.\u00a0 This is done by giving your life to God; being born again is not just going to church, but consciously saying the \u2018sinners prayer\u2019, i.e. asking God to forgive your sins, and asking Him to come into your life as your Lord and Savior, and then making deliberate decisions to serve the Lord faithfully, committedly, while forsaking all that is contrary to His will and purpose and living a life that is pleasing unto Him, John 3:16.<\/p>\n
After being saved, the believer must study the word of God daily; this is the only way we can grow.\u00a0 As new born babes study the word the ye may grow thereby, 1 Peter 2:2.\u00a0 We are admonished in 2 Timothy 2:15 to study to show ourselves approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.<\/p>\n
Jesus emphasized that the word is one thing that is needful.\u00a0 He illustrated the importance and relevance of the word, with the instance of Mary and Martha, stating that Mary hath chosen the one thing that is needful which is the good part.\u00a0 Like Martha, most of us are careful and troubled about many things, thereby neglecting the one thing that is needful which is the word of God, Luke 10:38-42.\u00a0 To abide therefore, we must deliberately make out time to study the word of God.\u00a0 Despite the various activities competing for our time, attention must be given to the word, as there is no better way to abide in Christ.<\/p>\n
Another vital aspect for abiding in Him is to be prayerful.\u00a0 Jesus our Lord Himself laid down a perfect example for us to follow.\u00a0 If He that is God had to pray; what about us?\u00a0 Every believer therefore must make out time to be alone with God in prayers.\u00a0 This must be besides corporate or family prayers.\u00a0 We must develop a personal relationship with God in prayers, choosing the time that beset suits us to pray, be it at night, early hours of the day or whenever we are less distracted.\u00a0 Conscious, deliberate efforts must be made to set out time to pray.\u00a0 We are not to be ignorant of the devices of the devil, we must be quick to realize that the devil does everything to hinder us from praying, knowing that great dynamic power is made available to us, in the place of prayers.<\/p>\n
Another way we can abide in Him according to Colossians 3:1 is to set our affection on things that are above.\u00a0 Our value system must be redefined.\u00a0 Luke 12:33-34 is definite about our value, stating clearly that our heart is where our treasure is.\u00a0 We must therefore place premium value on our making eternity.\u00a0 God must be our treasure.\u00a0 We must always remind ourselves of Luke 12:15 that \u2018a man\u2019s life consisteth not of the things, which he possesseth.\u2019\u00a0 The reason why many have abandoned the vine is because of the pursuit for perishable things that have no eternal value.\u00a0 A constant reminder of the need to spend eternity with God and having a focus that we can only make heaven when we abide, is a sure way of abiding, as this will enable us shun every distraction.\u00a0 This involves setting our minds on spiritual things, i.e.\u00a0 things that are of eternal value.<\/p>\n
We must also daily obey the commands of God unconditionally; as well as willingly desiring and deliberately pleasing the Lord even when it is not convenient.\u00a0 This enhances our intimate fellowship and walk with God.\u00a0 This will include loving God and loving one another.<\/p>\n
A lot of reasons abound why we should abide in Him.\u00a0 Some of these reasons include staying connected to the vine, to be alive, to grow and to bear fruits.<\/p>\n
A very important reason why we must abide in Him is for us to be pruned, as it is only the branches that bear fruits that are pruned, to enable it produce more fruits.<\/p>\n
We must abide as we are not self-sufficient, God is our source from whom we receive life and nourishment.\u00a0 We must constantly remind ourselves that, the branch cannot survive alone.\u00a0 Just as once a branch is detached from the vine it withers and dies, so can we not survive without God our Savior.\u00a0 Death is imperative when we choose not to abide in Him, and this could be spiritual or physical death.<\/p>\n
Jesus declaring the need why we should abide emphasized that, we can do nothing without Him.\u00a0 Verse 7 of our text is explicit and further states that one of the reasons why we should abide in Him is for our prayers to be answered; this is very crucial to our Christian faith.\u00a0 It implies that most prayer that seem unanswered could be linked to our failure to abide in Him.<\/p>\n
God expressly stated that there is nothing He would do and hide form Abraham, Genesis 18:17.\u00a0 Abraham was called the friend of God and God had to reveal secrets to him, even the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, Genesis 18:17-33.\u00a0 Jesus said we are no more servants but friends and this position expressly endows us with the secrets of the Father, John 15:15.\u00a0 Therefore a major reason why we should abide in Him is to know the mind of God and receive from Him.<\/p>\n
Attachment of the branch to a tree protects it from storms and the effect of winds.\u00a0 Life\u2019s journey comes with various forms of storms and turbulence.\u00a0 We therefore need to abide and to be hidden in Him, which would empower us to withstand the storms of life.\u00a0 All the blessings of Psalm 91 are hinged on the condition of dwelling in the secret place of the Most High, abiding in Him; when we abide in Him; all the wonderful blessings become ours.<\/p>\n
In verse 4 of the scripture text, the believer is commanded to abide in Him.\u00a0 It is not an option or alternative.\u00a0 It is a command from the Lord Jesus.\u00a0 It is important for us to note that this command does not give room for partial abiding.\u00a0 It requires our total commitment to God.<\/p>\n
The scriptures say \u2018the Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are the sons of God\u2019, Romans 8:16.\u00a0 This implies that if we are abiding, we must have a witness deep in our soul, that we are the sons of God.<\/p>\n
A further requirement for the branch to abide in the vine is to be fruitful; for any branch which beareth not fruit is taken away, John 15:12.\u00a0 We must therefore, bear fruits of righteousness which is a major determinant to know we are abiding.\u00a0 Show me a man that is holy, and you will see a man that is abiding in Christ.\u00a0 Some of the evidence that we are abiding in Him include:\u00a0 Obedience to His word; fruit bearing, which include winning souls, fruits of righteousness and holiness to the praise of God.<\/p>\n
We cannot abide in Him and live in the flesh; and evidence that we dwell in Him is that we walk in the Spirit.<\/p>\n
A further evidence of our abiding in Him is in our spiritual growth and intimacy with God.<\/p>\n
A major hindrance to abiding in Christ is sin.\u00a0 We must therefore avoid sin and all its appearance, knowing that the eyes of God are too holy to behold sin.<\/p>\n
Worldliness and the pursuit of this life is another hindrance.\u00a0 The lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life, will hinder a believer who is unsuspecting from abiding in Christ.<\/p>\n
Prayerlessness and failure of being active in the work of God is another reason that hinders us from abiding in Him.<\/p>\n
Some of them are as follows:<\/p>\n
The first thing that happens to the man who does not abide in Christ is that, he is cut off from God\u2019s supply of nourishment.\u00a0 Since he is cut off from the source of nutrients, he ceases to grow.\u00a0 Such a person starts running form \u2018pillar to post\u2019 as a result of the storms of life; not having the succor and assurance from the word of God.\u00a0 This has grave consequences as the person\u2019s spiritual life withers.<\/p>\n
In addition, such a person lacks joy, has no revelation in the things of God and becomes fruitless in spiritual things, even when that person seems to prosper by the judgement of men.<\/p>\n
The benefits of abiding in Him include among others: peace, joy, answers to prayers, fruit bearing, and boldness to witness.\u00a0 Apart from these, there are numerous eternal benefits, John 15:7; Revelation 3:5, 12, 21.<\/p>\n
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It is an indisputable fact that no branch of a tree can survive, let alone grow and bear fruits, without being attached to the main tree.\u00a0 In like manner, no child of God can be spiritually alive, grow and bear fruit without abiding in Christ.\u00a0 Abiding in Christ is therefore a necessity for every believer and we should maintain an intimate walk and relationship with Him.\u00a0 This is the only sure way we can please the Lord and spend eternity with our Savior.<\/p>\n
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John 15:5 \u2013 \u201cI am the vine, you are the branches:\u00a0 He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruits; for without me you can do nothing.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Abiding in Him Central Thought: Abiding in Christ guarantees fruitfulness Text: John 15:1-17 No branch of a tree ever flourishes and bears fruit without being attached to the main tree.\u00a0 By attaching to the tree, the branches have access to the supply of water and nutrients for survival, growth and fruitfulness.\u00a0 Also, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-961","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sundayschool"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/961","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=961"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/961\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":965,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/961\/revisions\/965"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=961"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=961"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=961"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}