Abide In Me

Opening Scripture

“Abide in Me, and My words abide in you.” — John 15:7

Reflection

A vineyard keeper once showed a young apprentice a grape branch freshly pruned from the vine. Within minutes, its green color began to fade. The keeper said, “It did not die when I cut it—it began dying the moment its sap stopped flowing.” Then he lifted another branch still attached to the vine, pulsing with life beneath its bark. “See the difference? The branch lives—not by effort, but by receiving what flows from the vine.”

This is the mystery Jesus reveals in John 15: “Abide in Me, and My words abide in you.” The sap that sustains the branch is His Word—living and nourishing.

To abide in Christ is to live by His Word—not just reading it, but obeying it. Jesus said, “If you obey My commandments, you will abide in My love.” His love is not separate from Himself. You cannot abide in Jesus without abiding in His love—they are inseparable. So, this is how we abide in Him and flourish.

In the wilderness, manna came daily—heaven’s life nourishing earth’s weakness. But it was obedience that sustained Israel, not the manna alone. The life of heaven flows only where obedience abides.

Disobedience severs the flow. It is what cut Adam off from the life of God—he died. He did not abide by the Word given to him. When we neglect the Word, we wither too. And it is the withered branches that are cast into the fire. To abide means to remain—in the Word, daily. It is not a one-time act, but a continual posture of surrender. And if you have failed in obedience, that is not the end of your story. Realign yourself to the Word, and life will flow again.

We may appear connected—attending church, reading Scripture—but without obedience, the life of Christ does not flow. Such branches dry up, losing vitality and purpose.

But when we abide—when we trust, yield, and obey—His life courses through us. His wisdom steadies our thoughts. His peace anchors our emotions. His love bears fruit in our relationships. We do not live by effort, but by infusion.

Application

To abide is to obey. Every act of obedience deepens our connection to Christ. Prayer and Scripture are not ends—they are means to hear and heed His voice. As we obey, His life becomes ours. His strength sustains us. His fruit endures.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, teach me to abide—not just in thought, but in obedience. Let Your Word flow through me like sap through the vine. Where I have withered, restore me. Where I have resisted, soften me. May Your life be my strength, Your love my fruit, and Your wisdom my guide. Amen.