John 15:4-5. "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. I am the vine, ye are the branches: he that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing."
UNION WITH CHRIST: identification with the cross. The surging pulse of life is felt and from that there is seen Evidence of the life principle where once none has been. What began at first as a fragile twig, begins to grow and grow Until the branch is strongly attached and life in the branch does show.
From the vine-source continually there flows all that for life is needed. The union is strengthened, weight can be borne, fruit can now be shaded. The Vine keeps supplying what is needed; all the branch does is "abide." Soon the evidence of fruit is bursting forth growing strongly from inside.
There is a vital unity between the True Vine and the branch. This unity is sustained by the Life-Source deliberately - not by chance. The union of the Vine and branch is intended to remain - That the fruit needed to bless those around by this union is maintained.
To be "crucified with Christ" is not just a light-weight phrase. Death is involved in crucifixion - even then, the union stays. The "death of the cross" means both the Vine and the branch have truly died. Yet in resurrection that union remains - both are now alive.
There is new life that goes beyond what is common to mortal man. Immortality the branch now knows is part of the divine plan. Our life is now "hid with Christ in God," and there the branch will stay. Not just for the years this life has left, but on through the endless day.
The cross is passed now, that is true, but the effects of the cross go on. The union of the branch to the Vine is based on a life that evermore is strong. We will look back on that cross work and will forever praise His name Knowing the life of the Vine and branch is really one and the same.
"Lord God: the Author and Giver of Eternal Life: with joy I celebrate this morning - this new day of eternal life. Even now I can sense the reality of the life of God within. I am finding new understanding of what it means to abide in the Vine and it gives meaning to this new day. I praise Thee in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."
John 15. FRUIT MANIFESTED TO FELLOW BELIEVERS vs. 12-17 Two commandments in Jn. 15, “Abide in Me,” “Love one another.” This is the law of our union with Christ. This is an order. It is enforced by His pattern because He loved us with sacrificial love. Listening, helping, encouraging, giving are all ways of doing this. Love in its highest degree, its greatest expression, is laying down one’s life. Giving because of obedience. Christ’s life is infinitely higher than ours, and He lay it down for us. Faithful friends are obedient servants. Friends exhibit friendship. Friends are those He shares His joy with; He chooses and instructs them in His purposes and ways. Servants do what they are told because He is Lord and Master. A friend is one taken into confidence. We are friends by His choice, because of loving obedience, He makes known to His friends, things relating to redemption.
He chose to love and die for us. He chose to save us to bear fruit and win souls. In grace He chose them to go and be diligent in their work, not to sit still, and their work will produce. When we ask, we go as a son to a parent, knowing the mind of the parent, entering into family liberty and the fullness of the heart of the parent. Asking gives the parent great delight. God yearns for the company, confidence and fellowship of man. He never received it till Jesus was here. We are one with Christ the Vine. He has made us for this and wants our supreme confidence. He has made us for this and wants our supreme confidence. We have a God to go to -- Father. A good name to come in -- Lord Jesus Christ. An answer promised. There is plenty of hatred from the world. We need love and support from each other. Love only is mentioned because this includes many duties and has good influence on all. In view of the warning about to be given, act on the instructions already given.
John 15. FRUIT EVIDENT TO THE WORLD vs. 18-27 Enmity between the seed of the woman and the serpent is real and lasting. The hatred of the world is not an uncertainty but a reality. The world loves its own and hates what is not of itself and its own nature. That is why it hates Christ. The philosophy, the conditioning, the materialism, the satisfaction of the world is contrary to the Lord Jesus Christ. “Of the world” vs. “not of the world” are complete contrasts. If we create a cause for hatred, we have reason for regret; if hatred is because of that which people should value and love, we have pity but not perplexity. The world is a bad name in scripture, and of all its evils, the worst is that it rejected Jesus Christ. The servant and Master will be treated alike. The believer’s essential being, his new life, comes specially from God, and therefore is not the same as those who oppose God. Persecution is inevitable because of the world’s ignorance and rejection of the Father (16:3). We are hated because we belong to Christ. We bear His Name, and therefore will suffer for His name’s sake. We are linked to Christ. The world does not know God. If Christ had not come the world would not have been guilty of the sin of rejection of Him. They could have pleaded lack of proof of His Person. But He did come, and He offered His grace and was refused. Now they have no excuse...no cloak for their sin of rejection even though they were always sinners. Now they are totally inexcusable. Privilege and responsibility go together. They had the privilege--now the responsibility. The Father and Son are One. In hating Christ, the world hates the Father. Jews claimed to obey the Father but they hate the Son. In reality, they hated both. His works, wonders and words are all proof of Who He is. If the Jews had not seen these, they could have pled lack of proof of His Person. To reject Christ in the face of His works is inexcusable. In rebellion and hatred, the Jews were fulfilling God’s plan. Psa. 35:19, 69:4. Their hatred was their own deliberate choice. “Without a cause.” Enmity to Christ is unreasonable. Christ is the greatest blessing possible to His own and yet was hated. Christ (Jn.14) and the Father in equality would send the Holy Spirit to testify of Christ. There is more about the Holy Spirit in this verse than any other one verse in the Bible. He is...1) A Person, 2) Spirit of Truth, 3) Proceeds from the Father, 4) According to the Father’s will, 5) By the Father’s power and authority as Husbandman, 6) Comforter, Advocate, 7) A Witness for Jesus, Counselor: helping, encouraging, strengthening. Spirit of Truth: teaching, illuminating, reminding. He is operating with His friends by being the energy and power which holds them. The Spirit’s working will enlarge and encourage our witness. These were especially qualified because they were witnesses of 1) His words, 2) His works, 3) having been with Him, 4) having lived a life of communion with Him.