ABIDE IN ME
“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear
fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.”
John 15:4 (NKJV)
READ: John 15:1–8
A believer’s fruitfulness or success, in the spiritual as well as the physical, is largely dependent on abiding in Christ Jesus. To abide in Christ means to keep your relationship and communion with Him.
• It means steadfastness in your walk with God.
• It also means walking in the light of God’s Word or living in line with His Word (James 1:22–25).
• Abiding in Christ also means having a working communion with God. It is this abiding in Christ that leads to fruitfulness.
What is fruitfulness?
Fruitfulness in Christ is when your life is being used to bless others:
• When you are teaching others about the ways of God, you are being fruitful.
• When you are being used to pray and minister to others, it means you are fruitful.
• When through your life, glory is being given to God; it thus means you are fruitful.
• When testimonies are given as a result of your way of life and what you do in the kingdom, it means you are fruitful.
• When souls are won to Christ through your life, either through evangelism or your way of living; you are fruitful.
• When believers are edified through your life and what you do in the kingdom; you are fruitful.
However, doing any of the things mentioned as being fruitful would be as a result of your steadfastness in God, abiding in Christ through the doing or practising of His Word and principles.
Now, what is steadfastness?
• Steadfastness is when you are firm in your allegiance to God and His kingdom.
• Steadfastness is being constant, dedicated, devoted, faithful, loyal, steady, and true.
Thus, a steadfast believer is the one who is abiding in Christ. Whatever level you will attain in God is connected to your abiding in Christ. And abiding in Christ is mainly about living by His Word—that is, living by the principles found in the Bible. It is when you abide in Christ that you grow to become fruitful. A tree that has not yet grown cannot bear fruit. Now, if I may ask:
• Are you fruitful in the kingdom?
• Is your life a plus to the spiritual and physical life of others?
• Is there anything you are doing to affect other people positively
in the kingdom?
If you cannot give an affirmative Yes as an answer to all or any of the questions above, it means you are just taking up space for nothing in the kingdom (Luke 13:7). You should take a step now and find your place in the kingdom. Through the knowledge of your giftedness,
you get to know what you are purposed and assigned to do.
READ: Romans 12:5–8
Start where you are by using your gifts to affect others positively.
It is when you start doing that and are faithful in it that a bigger responsibility would be given to you. Start now; do not procrastinate.
Reflect:
• How would you honestly rate your current level of fruitfulness
in the kingdom?
• What gift or ability has God given you that you have not yet
fully deployed for His kingdom?
Peace.
The Edification Daily Devotional for June is out.
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