Returning to you, recovered and restored is a blessing. God’s grace has been sufficient. Thank you for your encouragements and prayers.

Now that we’ve spent time matching spiritual qualities with real-life fruits (Galatians 5:22-23) and making fruit salads, let’s explore the source (of the fruit).

“Abide in me as I abide in you.  Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me.  I am the vine, you are the branches.  Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing.” John 14:4-5

Jesus was a great teacher and used analogies his listeners would understand. Whether we live on a farm amid orchards or in a high rise in the city, with tulips in pots on the balcony or pepper plants on window sills we get the picture of how things grow. Grant it, there are some plants propagated by ‘pinching’ off a branch or shoot to start roots in water. But, I don’t think grape vines are propagated that way, which is likely what the listeners understood.

His command, here; Come live as a resident in who I am. “I am the bread of life. (John 6:35), I am the light of the world. (John 8:12), I am the gate for the sheep. (John 10:7), I am the good shepherd. (John10:11), I am the resurrection and the life. (John11:25), I am the way, and the truth and the life. (John 14:6), I am the true vine.” (John 15:1).   “Before Abraham was, I am.” (John 8:58). Don’t you hear him saying, “You can trust I will provide what you need to live and grow. Just stay. Don’t let the tornadic winds, torrential rains or severe droughts of life separate you from me. You see, I’ve got you, ‘cause at the same time you dwell in me I’ve lived in you ever since you’ve believed.”

Jesus, the vine, is rooted in the rich soil of trust and obedience to his Father, so entwined as to be inseparable, imperceptibly one. “Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me?” (John 14:10) There is something unique about this bond between branch and vine. It is a double bond, stronger than a single bond.   Jesus, the vine lives in us and holds on even when our grip is weak or staying power fades. Believe, receive and live in!

BELIEVE 

Have faith; accept it as true. Believe by faith that Jesus Christ, is the Son of God, was crucified, buried and is risen from the dead. Believe: The Jesus in you loves you. The Jesus in you prayed for you. The Jesus in you saved and redeemed you. The Jesus in you is sanctifying you. The Jesus in you helps you endure.

RECEIVE

Jesus Christ is the source of new life and regeneration. He did not leave you as an orphan but provided an Advocate/Comforter. (John 14:26, 15:26) Make room, de-clutter, clean house for the filling of the Holy Spirit. Be filled with the Holy Spirit whose spontaneous activity in your life will yield fruit in season.

BELONG/LIVE IN!

When you live in, you are not alone. You belong to, in this case, Jesus Christ. Your purchase price was his life. When you abide (literally live in a place) you follow the guidelines set forth in that place. “All who obey his commandments abide in him, and he abides in them. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit that he has given us.” (1 John 3:24) Admit: “I can’t save myself.”  “I cannot fix myself.”  “Sometimes, I can’t find the strength to love.” “I need Holy Spirit power to live and love others as God  loves me.”  Affirm: “Greater is He that is in me than is in the world.” (1 John 4:4) God’s plan is greater than your situation. God’s purpose is greater than your plan. Desire, want, to bear fruit worthy of God who made you wonderfully.

copyright 2014 Linda Pope