Part of the abiding life is spending time in prayer. If you’d like us to pray with you, please contact us and we will pray with you.
“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.” John 15:1-7
In His teaching about the vine and the branches, Jesus explained that our relationship with Him is to be characterized by dependence. Branches do not produce good fruit on their own. Their role is to remain connected to the vine and to let its sap, which is its life, run through them to produce fruit. We who are believers are to “abide” in the Lord, allowing His life to run in and through us to bring forth spiritual fruit. (Galatians 5:22-23) It is the Holy Spirit who brings the life of Christ to us as well as from us to others.
This abiding life is exactly the same as the Spirit-filled life that Paul talked about in Ephesians 5:18. The word “abiding” emphasizes our position – the branch remaining in the vine. Paul, on the other hand, concentrated on the Spirit’s role in our lives and His authority as the One in charge. Frequently we try to be the “vine,” deciding for ourselves what would please God and what would be best for other people. The end result is often frustrating or disappointing since we have relied on human ideas and energy instead of being Spirit-led. The solution is to become a true branch. There is real freedom when we relinquish control.
Our heavenly Father plans for us to experience spiritual peace and joy as we triumph in adversity and gain victory over sin. In order to accomplish this, He has given us His Holy Spirit to direct our lives. To experience God’s best, it is necessary that we yield to the Spirit’s authority and obey His direction. Take time now to do just that.
Question: What does “abiding in Christ” mean to you? How have you been doing so lately?
About this Author: Charles Stanley
Tags: abiding life, Charles Stanley, Devotional, God, Jesus, Men, prayer, quiet time, spiritual growth, teaching, wisdom
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