To walk in the Spirit, let us first drench our mind, and saturate our heart, as we savor all of John 15. Slowly we digest and assimilate the heavenly food our Father has given us. Learning to abide in Jesus, just like any other skill, takes effort and concentrated time each day.  We read, and we ponder our needed point of connection to the Vine, our permanent Source of all good.  After John 15 is read, in whatever translation, our soul, our mind and heart considers our living contact with the living, all powerful Holy Spirit of Jesus.  We gladly yield, distinctly and consciously to His blessed influence. We welcome Him to take dominant hold of our being.  Holy Spirit melt our fear of full submission so that we may leap like a gazelle, secure in an almighty “life in Christ” that shares the joy of the Lord.

The profound meaning and vital importance of Jesus’ command to “Abide in Me” for a truly fruitful and joyful Christian life is to be taken seriously. “If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit.” KJV  What does God mean as He exoects us to bear much fruit? As we yield to the abiding Holy Spirit, we slowly become more like Jesus. We love freely, our joy is evident, our compassion embraces those who suffer, our patience in traffic astounds everyone, (including ourself) and our kindness towards those who doubt God is done lavishly.  During the life of Jesus on earth, the word He chiefly used when speaking of the relations of the disciples unto Himself was, Follow Me, and My example. As we yield to the abiding Holy Spirit, He pricks our spirit whenever we get out of step with Him.

When Jesus was about to leave for heaven, He gave His chosen a new word. In order to remain more intimate in a intentional spiritual union with Himself, Jesus exhorted them to “Abide in Me.” Today there are many earnest followers of Jesus,  with a blessed experience of His promises; while seeking to obey, and trusting in their Savior for His pardons, they fail to grasp the intimacy of His desired fellowship. The wondrous oneness of a union, as a Bride to her Groom. The lost intimacy is not only an unspeakable missed opportunity, but the church and the world suffer as a result. Let us ponder John 15 daily together in obedience to His purpose.

WHY do souls who have indeed accepted the Savior, and been made partakers of the renewing of the Holy Spirit, fall short of the full salvation prepared for them?  We must agree with the full counsel of God and that ignorance is the cause. Hosea 4:6 (NKJV) “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.” This verse emphasizes the importance of knowledge of God’s law and His ways. A Father strongly warns His child about the severe consequences of ignoring spiritual truths. We also lack understanding if we fail to ask the Holy Spirit for guidance in all our ways. It is the common pride of mankind that prevents our dependence on He who abides inside.  

If we are NOT attached to the Vine, unbelief creeps in. If we fail to obey and abide, we miss His invitation to know God intimately.  If in our churches, the abiding in Christ, the living in union with Jesus, the experience of His constant presence  were preached with the same urgency as the atonement and forgiveness through His blood,  many would accept with gladness the invitation to abide. The Holy Spirit influence would  manifest in our experience. The purity and the power of His love and the joy of fruit-bearing, would greatly increase.  Our Savior meant what He commanded. “Abide in Me.”  This is not a way of life beyond any soul’s reach. It is only by frequent repetition that a child learns lessons. It is only by continuously fixing our mind on what our Savior asks that His Bride can enjoy the intimacy of knowing our Groom and His eternal best.

The lesson of FAITH in He who abides in us, is one we can all step into. Those old in the faith, as well as new believers, it is a great help to day after day, meditate on John 15.  “Abide in Me.” The parable of the Vine becomes clear as we assimilate how truly this promised precept is meant for all.   His grace is more than sufficiently provided to enable us to obey it.  How indispensable is the call to abide. It will bless those the enemy has distracted by the consumption of the daily world news. A healthy life in Christ knows unspeakable blessings that flow from storing up John 15. Think on these thinngs; whatever is true, noble, praiseworthy. Surrender and accept in FAITH the whole Jesus as HE offers HIMSELF to us.

The Holy Spirit will make the Word come alive. This primise of Jesus, will become the power of God unto salvation.  Through the active Word of God, many will come to a greater faith that grasps the long-desired blessing. Our gracious Lord is pleased to bless His Word in all who abide in Him. Seek to know Jesus fully, as He has already blessed us with salvation.  I pray that the Holy Spirit would, by whatever means, make the multitudes of God’s children who still live divided lives, to see how Jesus claims them wholly for Himself.   To submit wholeheartedly to abide in Him brings a JOY unspeakable.

There is a sweetness of a surrendered life that gladly yields. We witness the grace and power of our Lord in a personal way. Only His holy presence keeps us united with Himself.   In our own fruit-bearing, we draw others to God by the evidence of our fruit. Every Word of God tells us of His intention, and His will for us. God is love, and He is also every soul’s holy Judge. How to please a holy God? — Hebrews 11:6 “And without FAITH, it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to HIM must believe that HE exists and that HE rewards those who earnestly seek HIM.” The blood of Jesus perfectly atoned for and conquered sin. Nothing can hold a believer down except the choice to NOT abide in Christ. Receive by FAITH, the perfect POWER of the Holy Spirit in us. “In Christ, who is our life, ye who at another time were far off, are made near by the blood of the Christ.” Ephesians 2:13.  God’s Word called us to surrender to the Holy Spirit, and He beckons our obedience. Lean in and listen for the small voice.  We are always in hearing distance as He abides closer than a friend.  We gladly set aside time daily to talk with our closest friend. When a soul turns itself entirely to God, then safely we ask questions and He freely gives revelation. This inner fellowship with the Holy Spirit brings God’s saints, the power of His presence. Our soul then magnifies the Lord as we carry the Holy presence of God. We grow from strength to strength and from glory to glory. Hallelujah!

Romans 12:1 “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” Offering our body, mind, soul, desires, goals, to God is accepted as worship. 1 Thessalonians 4:1 “As for other matters, brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more.” Why abide in Christ? Colossians 1:10 “So that you may live a life WORTHY of the Lord and please HIM in every way: bearing FRUIT in every good work, growing in the KNOWLEDGE of God.” Yes Lord, I want to know You.

Ephesians 5:10 “And find out what pleases the Lord.” Jesus asks His disciples, His followers, all those who profess their devotion that they “Abide in Me.” Psalm 147:11 “The Lord delights in those who fear Him, who put their hope in His unfailing love.” Yes Lord, we delight in Your Word and we desire to fully submit to He who abides within, fir He who is in us is greater than our enemy. Proverbs 16:7  “When the Lord takes pleasure in anyone’s way, He causes their enemies to make peace with them.” What a fantastic privilege it is to be invited to abide in Jesus.

John 8:29 “The one who sent Me is with Me; He has not left Me alone, for I always do what pleases Him.” Full abiding in our daily striding needs time to grow.  Jesus the Vine and He does not expect us to successfully abide in Him unless we give Him our time. More than sacrifice, our Father seeks obedience. It is not enough to read God’s word and think we have hold of the depth and purpose of John 15.  We need day by day time with Jesus and the Word of God. We need to nourish our spirit man. A rushed meal ends of with indigestion. If we are to live through Jesus, we must feed on Him. John 6:57 “Just as the living Father sent Me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on Me will live because of Me.”

The blood of Jesus already accomplished what the Father intended. In Exodus 4 the doorposts that were covered in blood, a sudden, horrible death Passed over those who believed and obeyed. God tells us that His way is by His son’s blood. We too must allow the sacrificial blood to cover us. By grace we got adopted as His royal, fully equipped Ambassadors. The blood of Jesus allows us to share in the victory over death, and the abiding Holy Spirit gives us the witness of truth in our spirit. God does not change, and His living Word reveals all He intends us to know of Him. The old testament points to the new testament, and new fulfills the old. The Holy Spirit gives perfect understanding to those who shut off the noise of man to hear what the Spirit of God is saying. Our new covenant faith is a gift. We crucify our flesh and its desire to live  according to every trend.

The concept of loving one’s enemies is a key teaching in the Bible. Matthew 5:43-44 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” By our submission and in direct obedience we crucify our desire to retaliate in anger.  Luke 6:27-28 “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”

Romans 12:20-21 “On the contrary: ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” God’s ways confounded those who are wise in their own eyes. Proverbs 25:22  “The LORD will reward you.” Our extended kindness is rewarded in heaven. 1 John 4:20  “Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For anyone who does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.”

1 Peter 1:3-5  “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living HOPE through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through FAITH are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.” Romans 15:13 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with HOPE by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Hebrews 6:19 “We have this HOPE as an ANCHOR for the soul, firm and SECURE. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain.” Psalm 39:7 “But now, Lord, what do I look for? My HOPE is in YOU.”  Romans 5:3-5 “Not only so, but we also GLORY in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, character, and HOPE. Our HOPE does NOT put us to shame, because God’s LOVE has been poured out into our HEARTS through the HOLY SPIRIT, who has been given to us.”

Our Father speaks to us about humility. Philippians 2:3-4  “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” Also, James 4:10 “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” Study 1 Peter 5:5-6  “In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, ‘God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.’ Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.”

Proverbs 22:4 “Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life.” Matthew 23:12  “For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Old Testament Micah 6:8  “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with God.”