How Can I Abide In Christ?
“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
In the Gospel of John, Jesus gave the disciples both a promise and a warning. John, chapter 15, recounts the final conversations between Jesus and his disciples on the night of his betrayal. Jesus was giving them his last instructions before his crucifixion. One of the things he encouraged them to do was to keep their lives close to him.
The warning Jesus gave the disciples was a stern one. “Apart from me you can do nothing.” In fact, Jesus said that every branch that did not abide in him would be cut off and thrown into the fire (John 15:6). A stern warning indeed! Jesus was warning the disciples that even though he would not be with them physically, they were to keep close to him spiritually.
The promise Jesus gave them was a substantial one. Those who abide in him will bear “much fruit.” What kind of fruit did Jesus mean? He meant that they would bring people to God through their witness. He may also have meant that they would bear what Paul would later call the “fruit of the Spirit” which is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
How do we abide in Christ? There are many ways. This summer, we are excited to exercise one of those ways. We invite you to a summer of reading in the gospels – “90 Days with Jesus.” Beginning today, we invite you to read a chapter in the gospels each day through the summer. Our reading schedule will enable you to finish all four gospels by August 31.
In addition, we invite you to participate in one of our small groups. Today is the final day to sign up, as they begin the week of June 11. Please fill out the form in the bulletin or call the church office in the morning. Our small groups will study the life of Jesus together and explore practical lessons for daily living.
Perhaps you have not read all four gospels. This is your opportunity. Every person should not only read all the gospels but be familiar with them. Do not let this chance go by. Remember what Jesus said. We cannot do anything apart from him. If we abide in him, we will bear much fruit.