(Read John 15:1-8)

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 (John 15:4).

The quality of the fruit of the branch depends upon the quality of the life of the vine. Neither quality nor quantity is the product of the branch, for the branch merely receives what is produced by the vine.  It is useless for the branch to struggle and strive to produce, for that is not its task.  In fact however hard it may try, it will produce nothing. On the contrary it is the task of the vine to supply all the sap (life) needed; it is the task of the vine to produce the fruit at the end of the branch; it is the task of the branch to just abide quietly in utter dependence and obedience where it has been placed. Continue reading →