“whoever Says he abides in Him ought to walk in the same way in which He walked.” 1 John 2:6 (ESV)
If we claim to abide in Christ Jesus, we are claiming that we are unwavering in our faith and walk with Him. If that is true, then we had better be walking (living) in the same way in which Jesus walked (lived) here on earth. If not, are we really abiding in Him or are we just offering lip service? “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in His steps.” 1Peter 2:21 (ESV) Our actions should be uniform with our claims.
“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.” John 15:5 (ESV)
As a branch derives its life-sustaining nutrients from the vine, so the born-again Christian derives their life-sustaining strength and support for the trials of this present life from the “Vine”. The “Vine”, Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior, implores His children to be prosperous in being fruits of the spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control [Galatians 5:22-23]) and knows that on our own we cannot achieve these. It is when we stay connected to Him, the “Vine” that we stay nourished in His Word, His love, His joy, His peace, His patience, His kindness, His goodness, His faithfulness, His gentleness, and His self-control. As the branches of a vine need pruning, so must those Christians who remain unfruitful be pruned from God’s everlasting garden. Make it your goal today to abide in Him and seek His will and direction for how you might begin to be fruitful for His Kingdom.
Jessica Ford
Communications Director
Alive Ministries USA
Join our “Alive-Stream” Monday – Friday at 8:00EST (9:30 on Wednesday) on FB (Facebook.com/aliveministriesusa) or YouTube (Christopher B. Cain if Alive Ministries USA) for a time of prayer requests and study of the Word.
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