Branches—We Must Stay (15:1-11) - part 2 of 4

#2 The branches. One branch is weak and useless by itself. Good for bearing or burning, but not for building (read Ezek. 15). The branch cannot generate its own life; it must draw that life from the vine. Our fellowship with Christ by the Spirit is what makes bearing fruit possible.

Many images of Christ and the believer are used in Scripture to underscore this important idea of union and communion: the body and its members (1 Cor. 12), the bride and the Bridegroom (Eph. 5:25–33), and the sheep and the Shepherd (John 10). A member of the body that is cut off from the body would die. The marriage forms the union, but it takes daily love and devotion to maintain the communion. The shepherd leads the sheep into the fold, but they must follow him for protection and provision.

The sooner we, as believers, come to know that we are but branches, the better we will relate to the Lord, for we will know our own weakness and confess our need of His strength.

The key word is "abide," used eleven times in John 15:1-11 (“continue” in John 15:9 and “remain” in John 15:11). What is meant by “abide”? It means to abide in fellowship with Christ so that His life might flow in and through us to produce fruit. But this process is certainly connected with the Word of God and confession of sin so that we are not hindered in our fellowship with Him (John 15:3). It also means obeying Him because we love Him (John 15:9-10).

How do we know that we are “abiding in Christ”? Is there a special feeling? No, but there are special pieces of evidence that appear, and they are unmistakably clear. For one thing, when you abide in Christ, you bear fruit (John 15:2). We shall talk later about what that "fruit" is. You also experience the Father’s “pruning” so that you bear more fruit (John 15:2). The believer who remains in Christ has his prayers answered (John 15:7) and has an increasing love for Christ and for other believers (John 15:9, 12-13). He also has joy (John 15:11).

The branch and the vine have a natural, abiding relationship. It must be cultivated in the Christian life. It is not automatic.  To abide in Christ means worship, meditation on God’s Word, prayer, sacrifice, and service—but what a joyous experience it is! When you have begun to grow in this more intimate fellowship with Christ, you will never desire to return to the shallow life of the indifferent Christian.