Abiding in the Lord
John 15 tells us that Jesus is the vine. We can’t impress God or earn His approval. Our calling is to do what branches do: abide. While that sounds simple, it may be the most courageous act of faith there is. The Holy Spirit lives the life of Christ through each believer. Paul spoke of the joy of abiding in Christ when he wrote: “It is no longer I who live, by Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God.” (Gal. 2:20) From the outside, a branch doesn’t appear to be doing much of anything, but the abiding life is far from passive. Jesus was the perfect example of a Spirit-filled life, and He certainly didn’t sit around doing nothing. All of Christ’s wisdom, knowledge and courage were drawn from God through the Holy Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit isn’t produced through striving; it grows through surrender. We take root in the heavenly Father by meditating on His Word, praying, and serving. We reserve nothing for ourselves to control but fully rely upon Him. That’s not passive living; that’s an abiding life.
