Abide

by Javier Mendoza, co founder of Connect Global and Hills Global Church

I Am the True Vine

[1] “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. [2] Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. [3] Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. [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. —John 15:1-11

When I was a kid growing up in West Texas, my dad planted an appletree.

Photo by Nazrin Babashova on Unsplash

In fact we had several trees that probably had no business growing in our yard but my mom wanted trees and not just dirt growing so they planted several pine trees and a Granny Smith style apple tree. These trees grew and eventually sprouted fruit each and every year I lived in that house but we never got to eat from it.

The bugs would eat it, the flesh was mushy, and the worms and sun would get to this tree faster than we could manage to get a healthy fruit from it.

The apples were shiny, green and crisp looking on the outside but always soft and rotten on the inside.

The truth is we never took time to cultivate, by trimming, pruning, and fertilizing and so we never enjoyed the fruit.

It was beautiful to look at but there was nothing of any substance on the inside it was only green and shiny on the outside.

This is often times the case with the Church, or more specifically how it is with those who call themselves disciples or followers of Jesus when we do not abide in him and allow the vinedresser to create in us a healthy soul that bears much fruit.

We can appear to have it together from the outside, but we may be depressed, hurt, or even living in secret and creating shelter for our sin because we have not allowed Him to prune, trim, remove, or improve we have simply existed or we’ve tried to do the work ourselves.

While It is not our job to make fruit happen It is our job to yield to Him and let him do His work in us.

So the question is: how do we become a church that bears fruit ? How do we move from simply attending church to abiding in Him in order to become the church?

“The primary task of a disciple of Jesus is just learning how to open deeper and deeper parts of ourselves to grace.” —Jacques Philippe

First: The Good news about God

Return of the Prodigal Son — Rembrandt

He is patient¹, He knows what we need, and He is compassionate, slow to anger and not given to hasty trimming or brash movements.²

Grace is not the result of our obedience— obedience is the evidence or fruit of the Grace that has been received.

He wants us to grow and develop and bear fruit. The main way in which we do is by abiding in Him. Being close and growing in intimacy is where He wants us, the fruit we bear is the evidence of that proximity.

We do not have more of Him because we do more, He does more in us and through us, as He holds more of us.

“Spiritual heath is closing the gap between biblical rumor and actual life as narrowly as possible. Spiritual maturity is narrowing the gap between Kingdom promise and daily grind;” —Tyler Staton

What is Jesus inviting us to do in John 15?

1. Abide — "Abide in me, and I in you" (John 15:4)

Jesus is simply calling us to abide in Him. This means to remain, dwell, and stay connected, or as one definition states, “act in accordance” just as a branch stays connected to the vine drawing water, nutrients, and vitality. It's our daily commitment to allow His presence to dwell in us, guiding our actions, thoughts, and hearts. Our response to this invitation is to spend time each day intentionally abiding in Jesus, trusting that His power is made perfect in our weakness not in our striving³. Set aside time each day for solitude, reflection, and communion with God.

2. Obey – "If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love" (John 15:10)

Obedience is a natural result of abiding in Jesus' love. He links our obedience to our experience of His love. The more we align ourselves with His will, the more we remain in His love. This obedience doesn’t come from obligation, but from a heart transformed by love. As we choose to obey His commands, He allows us to know more and more of His love. We are to Obey the commands of Jesus, not just out of duty but out of a desire to stay rooted in His love. Ask yourself, “How can I obey God’s will today in my words, actions, and decisions?”

3. Read – "Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you" (John 15:3)

The Word of God cleanses and renews us. Jesus' words are not just for knowledge but for transformation. Reading the Bible allows us to know His voice and His desires for our lives. Think about how well you know your spouse or your children or even your best friend. You have grown so intimate that you can recognize their voice in a crowded room. You can read a letter or note left by them and hear their voice in your head, their mannerisms, their laughter—even from a thousand miles away you can feel close just by hearing or reading their words. It is the same with God, we gain closeness and are cleansed by being immersed in His word.⁴ Reading the Bible daily is the best way to deepen your understanding of God’s will. As well as be transformed by his word into a disciple who bears much fruit. Let the Scriptures wash over you, renewing your mind and guiding your actions.⁵

4. Pray – "Ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you" (John 15:7)

Prayer is the means by which we communicate with God, expressing our dependence on Him and inviting Him to work in our lives.⁶ As we pray in alignment with God’s will, we can trust that He will answer.⁷ Pray consistently, asking God to align your desires with His. Prayer should be our first stop, not our last resort. Before we make decisions or plans we need to seek His guidance in every area of our life and trust that He hears and answers our prayers. Prayer is not about changing God, it’s about changing us.

5. Love – "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love" (John 15:9)

Love is at the heart of the Christian life. Jesus’ love for us is the foundation of everything, and we are called to love others⁸ with that same love first given to us⁹. This love is not just a feeling but a choice to act with kindness, patience, and compassion. 1 Corinthians 13:13 says it this way, “So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” Look for opportunities to show sacrificial love, whether in your family, community, or workplace. Reflect on how Jesus' love transforms you and share that love with the world around you. There are people within your direct sphere of influence that need the Jesus you are pursuing. They are often closer to crossing the line of faith than we imagine. Some may already have a faith or belief in Jesus but need a fresh example of His love shown through us¹⁰ as a representative¹¹ of what their life could be.

Bottom Line

Jesus’ loving embrace¹² is His gift to us. He invites us to abide in Him so that we will be cleansed, transformed, and set on a path of purpose and fulfillment in Him. He is not imposing but inviting. He wants the best for us and for us to bear fruit not only for our benefit — but for others to partake from and be blessed by. He is the one who is responsible for the pruning, trimming, fertilizing and forming our invitation to abide is accepted as we love, obey, read, and pray.

1. “Hebrew scholars translated erek apayim with a Greek word meaning "patient." Actually, the earliest English translations used the word long-suffering. That's even better. It does a great job of capturing the idea. Yahweh is patient, long suffering.

There was another ancient translation of the Hebrew Bible called a Targum. It was a translation into Aramaic-probably the language Jesus grew up speaking. This translation was more of a paraphrase they were free and limber with the original Hebrew. But I love how they translated Exodus 34:

God is "patient, the One who makes anger distant and brings compassion near."

—John Mark Comer, God Has a Name

2. The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin,”

—Exodus 34: 6-7a

3. “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

—2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV)

4. “having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word.” —Ephesians 5:26 b

• The phrase “washing of water with the word” is rich with meaning. It symbolizes cleansing through the Word of God and the Holy Spirit. The use of water here brings to mind baptism, which is a symbol of purification and new life in Christ. Ephesians 5:26 can be connected to Titus 3:5 where the “washing of regeneration” refers to spiritual rebirth through the Holy Spirit. The Word of God has a purifying and transformative effect. Jesus’ love, as expressed in His Word, purifies the believer, helping them to grow and become more like Christ. This "washing" refers to the cleansing power of God’s truth in the believer’s life.

5. “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

—Romans 12:2 ESV

6. “The prayer of a righteous person has great power” —James 5:16

7. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received^[c] it, and it will be yours. ²⁵ And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”

—Mark 11:24-25

8. “And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” —Matthew 22: 37-39

9. “We love because he first loved us” —1 John 4:19

10. “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” —John 13:35

11. "Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God." —2 Corinthians 5:20

12. "And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him." —Luke 15:20