John 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can you… "Believe on Christ" is the gospel to the world. "Abide in Christ" is the gospel to the Church. We cannot think too much of Christ for us, but we may think far too little of Christ in us; yet for perfect salvation we need both. Notice that this is — I. A CALL TO CONSCIOUS VITAL UNION WITH OUR LORD. This implies — 1. A realization that of ourselves we can do nothing, that we are mere dead branches apart from Him! We live too much as though we were trees, as though by our own power we were to do God's will, and we have striven, and then groaned over the inevitable failure. Now, says Christ, be satisfied to be a branch. 2. An assurance that the fulness of Christ is ours. That is involved in the figure, and is stated in the chapter. He goes on to say (as its consequence) that what He has, they share. They are to share — (1) His joy — "that My joy might abide in you"; (2) His love — "that ye love one another as I have loved you"; (3) His knowledge — "all things that I have heard of My Father I have made known unto you"; (4) His rights — "that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in My name, He may give it you"; (5) His persecutions — "if they have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you"; (6) His work — "the Spirit shall bear witness of Me, and ye also shall bear witness"; (7) His glory — "the glory which Thou gavest Me, I have given them." 3. A surrender of ourselves to Christ for His purposes. For the branch exists for the tree. II. THE FIGURE OF THE VINE SUGGESTS HOW THIS CALL MAY BE FULFILLED. The words show that the responsibility is with us. Christ can only bless according to our willingness; and willingness is proved by readiness to seek the blessing. "Abide in Me, and I in you" is a command; it is ours, therefore, to fulfil it. And we ask How? Remember there are degrees in this union; some are more closely joined to Christ than others, and receive more of His life; and this is due to their growth into Him, they have struck the fibres of their spiritual being deeper and yet deeper into His being, and thus are close knit to Him. 1. We need the cords of meditation and prayer to bind us to Him more firmly. The formal prayer, the ill-studied Bible, the almost deserted closet, are the destruction of the hopes held out in the text. The weather soon loosens the old cords, and through perpetual communion they must be perpetually renewed. 2. We need the putting away of whatever would come between Christ and us. Sin hinders Christ giving, for He will not give to sin. Sin weakens our desire and faith, that is, our power of receiving. So everything in any degree contrary to Christ must be put away. 3. We need the ceaseless drawing by faith on His fulness. III. FROM THIS WOULD COME THAT SPIRITUAL FRUIT BEARING WHICH IS GOD'S WILL. There would be — 1. The natural growth of personal holiness. It is a common thought that before Christ can enter into us we must put out evil. That is not the order. Let Christ in and He will put out the evil, as light puts out darkness. 2. A heart at rest. The poverty of our resources is our perpetual fear; loneliness and care are with some a perpetual grief. But would not that be altered if we consciously abode in Christ? 3. Christ's power working through us. Think of being the channel for the will of Jesus. (C. New.) Parallel Verses KJV: Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. |
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