Bearing spiritual fruit (2)

A branch doesn’t bear fruit by trying, working, or straining. It bears fruit by simply “abiding.” What does this mean? How do you abide in Jesus? Let’s illustrate it this way: when you put a tea bag in a cup of hot water, something happens. As the tea bag abides in the water, the tea begins to flavour the water until it takes on the taste of the tea bag. And the longer the tea bag abides in the water, the stronger the colour and flavour of the tea. That’s what happens when you abide in Christ and He abides in you. The longer you abide in Him and the deeper you go with Him, the more His presence will begin to permeate your life. The branch doesn’t produce the fruit; it bears the fruit. It’s the vine that produces the fruit. And Jesus said, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing” (v. 5 NKJV). Without the vine, the strongest branch is as defenseless as the weakest branch. So what does it mean to abide in Christ? (1) Studying His Word. “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you” (v. 7 NKJV). As you study God’s Word, you are changed by His Spirit. (2) Obeying His will. “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love” (v. 10 NKJV). The closer you get to God, the more you’ll want to do what He says. And when you do what He says, you’ll begin to walk in His blessing.