John 15 - ABIDE!

Jesus tells his disciples in John 15 to "ABIDE" in him.  Now to be honest that is not a word that I use much in my regular dialogue.  I don't know the last time that I've told someone to ABIDE.

However, its very interesting to note that Jesus tells his disciples that unless they ABIDE in HIM, they can do NOTHING. 

So upon further conclusion this whole ABIDING thing must be pretty important.  Otherwise Jesus wouldn't tell his disciples that they can't do anything unless they ABIDE.

Bring that to us today, what does it mean for us to ABIDE in Jesus.  I don't know about you, but I want my life to count for something.  I want to be about things that matter.  If Jesus tells his disciples to ABIDE, those that have seen him, been with him, ate with him, how much more do I need to ABIDE in Jesus, so that I can be a productive, fruitful Christian.

The Greek word that Jesus uses for ABIDE is the word meno which literally means, "to make your home in." 

Jesus is telling his disciples, and us today for that matter, that if we want to be used by God and for God.  If we want to produce spiritual fruit such as love, joy, peace, and patience.  If we want to grow in the knowledge, wisdom, and power of God.  If we want self-control, maturity, and depth as a believer.  It starts with US making our HOME in HIM!!

Let me break that down.  It doesn't start with us gritting our teeth and trying harder.  It doesn't start with us getting an accountability partner.  It doesn't even start with us having another Bible Study.  Jesus says that it starts with Him and us making our home in HIM!!

As my friend J.D. Greear says, "When we 'make our home in Him' his love -- feeling it, saturating ourselves with it, reflecting on it, standing in awe of it, spiritual fruit and growth springs up naturally in our lives."

It all starts with Jesus.  You want to be more patient - abide in Him.  You want a better marriage - make your home in Jesus.  You want self-control - it all starts in remaining in Jesus. 

Do you see a theme here??  JESUS, JESUS, JESUS!!

What are you doing today to abide in Jesus?  How are you making your home in Him?

Apart from Him, you can do NOTHING!