John 15:4-11
4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
As Christians, we often wonder where we live in the world. In other words, where do we stand? Are we to be a part of the world? How can we really be in the world but not of the world when so much of our language and many of our practices come from the "secular vernacular?"
For instance, when I am with my friends (especially my guy friends), we tend to speak in movie quotes. It is often a competition to see who can come up with the most obscure quote. Obviously, these things are of the world. But is there joy in the fellowship?
When I abide in my friends and they in I, we live in community. As Christians, we have the choice to relate to Christ, or not. The difference however, between me and my friends abiding in fellowship, and Christians abiding in Christ is the invitation to be full. Christ is the bread of life...we will never go hungry. Christ is the everflowing stream...we will never thirst. Christ is the vine and we are the branches...we always abide becuase Jesus is our source, our strength, our hope and our light.
Prayer: Loving God, thank you for the invitation to be grafted onto your vine as your branches. Help us to see our place in the relationship as we continue to abide in you. Amen.
