Abundant Life

"I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." - John 10:10 Why do you think Jesus told us to abide in Him? In the first verse of John 15, called the "abiding chapter," Jesus begins His message to us by reminding us that He is the true vine...the real vine...the genuine vine. He goes on to say, "You are the branches." Now, what does the vine do for the branches? First of all, the vine gives the branches life. Second, the vine gives the branches stability. The vine provides an anchor for the branch. Now, those two things--life and stability--tell us why we must abide in Christ. You see, if Jesus is the true vine, it naturally follows that there must be some counterfeits furnished by the Devil. And there are many. I'm sure you know people who believe they can find life and stability in their profession, in economic security, in some form of religion, through the right political party being in control, through drugs and alcohol, through education, by having a new home or a second home in Florida. You name it, I've heard it all, and so have you. The Bible says there is one genuine source of life and stability, and that is Jesus Christ. That is why Jesus says in contradiction to anyone or anything else, "I am the true vine." He and He alone can give us life. And He and He alone is the one who can produce the life of the vine in the branches. When the wind and floods come, it will not be shaken as we abide in Him. Prayer Lord, You provide the only life I want to live. Thank You for giving me life to the full. Amen. To Ponder If you cut yourself off from the Source of nourishment, you will soon wither away