I am struck this morning by the benefits of “abiding.” I can’t help but think about it as I do laundry and buy groceries and pay bills and make dinner. I think of the five kiddos who “abide” here and what that abiding affords them. Because they are a part of the Jones family there are benefits for them. Because they abide under this roof for portions of their lives there are blessings that come from that. They have rooms and toys and games and dinner is made for them, and they are driven where they need to go, and they are read to at night, and cared for when they are sick, and tucked in before they fall asleep. Why? Because we are family. The relationship we share provides the privileges they enjoy.

For the next few weeks I want us to look at the beauty of “abiding.” Because, there is another relationship that is available to us that holds privileges that far surpass these. I’m reminded of it as I read John 15 this morning where Jesus says, “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. (John 15:,2 NKJV) “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. (John 15:5, 6 NKJV)

So, it’s evident that abiding is far more beneficial than not abiding. Just like there were far more perks, when we “abided” in our parents home, than when we left. When we left there was no one there to do laundry, or make our dinners, or drive us to our appointments, or pay our bills, (and if your parents are still doing this for you and you are grown, that is a totally different lesson:)

But abiding with Christ is having a relationship with Him. Confessing with our mouth that He is God’s son. Believing that beautiful truth in our heart and that is where relationship with Christ begins. And then it grows. Just as children grow under a parent’s roof, so we are to grow in relationship with Jesus as we abide with Him.

But, if we don’t and we make the choice that we aren’t going to “bear fruit” then this passage states a drastic measure. “Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away.” “If anyone does not abide in me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.”

We are always moving. We are not stagnant creatures. We are moving toward something or away from something. But don’t be deceived we are always moving. And if we are not moving into closer and deeper relationship with Jesus Christ, that is seen by our fruit, by our love, by our joy, by our peace, by our self-control, by our faithfulness, by our kindness and gentleness, then there will be a severing. You can’t enjoy the beauty of relationship and what it affords you if you aren’t
investing in that relationship. You can’t enjoy the fried chicken on mama’s table on Sunday’s after church, if you are in another city in your own apartment. It simply isn’t possible, in-spite of what we want to convince ourselves of.

But, the more powerful and beautiful thing to focus on is what is available to us when we abide. So, for the next few weeks we will unpack those truths together. And hopefully our hearts will yearn for the privilege and enjoyment and beauty of what “abiding” has to offer.