“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing… But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.” – John 15:5, 7-8
In John 15, Jesus pointed to a vine and a branch, teaching His disciples the biblical principle of abiding in Him. This was yet another visual aid Jesus used to communicate His message.
In verse 5, He clarifies that He is the vine, and we are the branches. It is from the vine that the branches have an opportunity to grow. The branches produce fruit, because of the vine. This was not just a verse meant for the disciples during the time Jesus told this story, but it is a message for every believer of Christ.
When we abide in Him, when we don’t stray away, when we don’t become the barren fig tree, then we will grow like the branches.
But if we do not abide in Him, verse 6 says, “anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile and burned.” This is the result of not only continued disobedience but not remaining in Him.
But what are the rewards of staying committed to Christ? Verse 7 says, “But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.”
These verses are very clear! When you abide in Christ, He will reward you by answering your prayer. Not only that but you will bring great joy to God. If you want to be a true disciple, you must abide in Him, for this is how we bear great fruit!