WE ARE NOT CALLED TO IMITATE BUT TO ABIDE IN CHRIST
The abundant life begins with salvation, yet here in John 15, Jesus is speaking of the fruitful life that becomes evident as we continually abide in Him. We understand that our salvation is accomplished by Christ and by no effort of our own. Yet, after receiving this salvation through faith, we often attempt to live the Christian life by our own self-effort. But just as we are saved by grace through faith in Christ, so shall we continue to live by “abiding” in Christ.
Wherever we are not exhibiting love, joy peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, in that very place we are not abiding in Christ. Abiding, we rest in Christ, drawing on His life-giving power and presence even in the midst of life’s storms. We are not called to imitate Christ, but to abide in Him, so that His life is manifest in ours. Imitating, we do our best to be Christlike, but abiding, we experience Christ’s best living in and through us.
PRAYER: Dear Father, we are thankful for the abiding life of Christ. Yet we are sorry that we often seek to live by our own strength. Forgive us. Teach us to abide. We want to bear much fruit. Show us where we are striving rather than abiding, so that we might repent. Train us to always abide. For we want to decrease so that Christ increases in us. In His name we pray, amen.