Nancy Taylor Tate
“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.” John 15:4
This summer someone gave me a tomato plant. As I watched the plant grow, I noticed one branch barely attached to the vine. Even with that small connection, because of the life flowing through the vine, the leaves of the branch were green, and from all outward appearances everything looked fine. Yet as I looked at how slight its connection to the vine was, I began to wonder if it would be strong enough to withstand the wind or the weight of a tomato growing. I began to minister to that branch, trying to help it become more firmly attached to the vine.
How important today that we are firmly attached to the vine, abiding in Him as He abides in us. That no attitude, habit, or way of thinking is separating us from who He is…His heart…His Word, but that we are one with Him in every area of our lives.
Isn’t this what Jesus prayed? “That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.” John 17:21
We are called to “be” or “become” a witness, or a sample of Him. (Acts 1:8)
“Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.” 1 John 4:17
2 Peter 1:4 speaks of being a partaker of the divine nature. Peter then goes on to speak of certain traits that, if we are diligent to add to our faith, will cause us to “neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:4-8
Peter encourages us to “give diligence” to make our calling and election sure. 2 Peter 1:10, “For if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.” What a promise!
May every choice we make bring us into closer union with the Lord, that when situations come our way and we look at our response, we are able to say as Paul did, that it wasn’t me or my old nature, but Christ, who now lives in me. (Galatians 2:20)
“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.” John 15:5
May the Lord strengthen and encourage you today! May the testimony of Jesus come forth as never before. May the Lord bless you!