“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 15:5

Often times our Christianity becomes all about doing the right things: be loving, forgiving, have integrity, or don’t gossip. Obviously there is a place for these but before we ever DO the right thing for God we must first BE right with God. Religion tells us what we need to do but the Bible declares what God has already done for us. And so before you ever set out to live your life you must first learn to receive your life from Christ. God’s blessing, power, and life are only received through a growing relationship with Him.

Jesus illustrates ripe fruit comes from the ongoing development of life which is only found through it’s relationship with the vine. “Abide” literally means to remain, endure, and to continue to be present. Only when the branch is connected, fastened, and attached to the vine can it be nurtured and grow. Everything that the branch needs for life and fruitfulness is found in the vine so its one duty is to be connected to the vine.

In the same way Jesus Christ is the vine and we are the branches He is the very source of spiritual life and personal holiness. This brings us to the very core value of what it means to be a Christian. Christianity is not about doing religious things it is about growing from spiritual life. As you abide in Christ His life, power, strength and grace will flow into you.

To abide in Christ is to depend upon, to rely upon, and be connected to Jesus as your source of life. You must daily commune with Jesus by trusting in Him for strength, depending upon Him for your holiness, and being filled with spiritual life. Draw near to the Lord and believe that He will become your holiness and change your life.

His Grace alone,
Kyle Shimazaki