Today's verse is simple but is something that I think we all need to be reminded of regularly - as the truths told to us here by John are quickly forgotten by many in our day in time. And, it's in this verse that Jesus is emphasizing permanence and steadfastness in his relationship with His disciples.

John uses the concept of "abiding" in Christ ten times across verses 4-10 but in slightly different ways. Further, he always includes the idea of someone who expresses saving faith and "holds fast" to that belief (Hebrews 4:14; 10:23). Mostly through these verses, we see that John's emphasis is on those who submit to Christ's power to thereby enable their spiritual lives.

So what does this mean?

This implies that we are to have both obedience (John 14:15; 15:10) and perseverance (Hebrews 2:1).

For a person to be spiritually fruitful, they must first be connected to the source of life: Jesus, the True Vine - for it is only when nutrients flow freely to the branches that fruit can be born. And for us to be connected to the True Vine, we must lovingly obey Christ (John 15:9-10). The more intimately connected to our spiritual Life-giver, the more effective and productive we will be.

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