Bishop-Elect Dr. Monterey D. Lee, Sr.
“My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be my disciples,” John 15:8.
What did Jesus mean when He spoke of abiding in Him? To abide means to dwell, remain, obey, hold fast to, heed, uphold, agree to, go along with, accept, acknowledge, to respect, to pay attention to, to stick to, or comply with.
To abide gives the idea of being fully empowered with thoughts and meaning to the authority of God. It’s a lifestyle for serious commitment and a long-term relationship. One must evaluate whether or not this is really what you want and look for in total commitment to God. Nobody casually agrees to abide to a higher power for the rest of their life without giving serious thought to all that may and will be involved.
Jesus says abide in me, and I will abide in you (John 15:4).
We are not instructed to abide in Jesus only. But Jesus Himself declared that He will abide in us.
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener,” John 15:1. He is the one who cultivates and looks after the sector. Every branch that does not produce fruit, He [God] removes, prunes, cuts and weeds out. Every branch in Him will produce fruit and more fruit.
This is a picture of love from a loving Creator who desires a relationship with His children. God is working to provide a way for all who loves Him.
He cleansed you with the word given to you to remain in Him through His Son Jesus Christ, so that He would be Lord of your life.
Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains in the vine, neither can you unless you remain in God. He is the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Him and He in them will produce much fruit, because you can do nothing without Jesus.
Jesus will do His part, so we must do our part. Jesus takes our lives and He gives them great fulfillment. Live a life that brings Glory of God.
This is why we have power in Jesus, victory in the Father, victory over all temptation. We must bear Christ like fruits of love for the Kingdom of God.
John 15:8 teaches that when we bear much fruit, the Father is glorified by the life of the believer—proving we are His disciples.
God created us and chose us for His own will, and He wants us to abide in Him so that He can abide in our hearts forever.
