As a believer in the Lord Jesus, what does it mean for us to abide in Him as branches in the Vine? John 15-1:5

How do you do this in your day to day life? I have this vine at my home that has these lovely green healthy leaves attached to it. Yet among these green leaves there are some brown ones. These ones are still attached to the vine but for some reason they have not been receiving the nourishment and supply from the vine that the green ones are receiving, and as such they are drying up and withering away. Searching ourselves, what do you think are the things in our lives that cut us off from receiving the Lord as our Life and Life supply? How do we clear up this matter and get back into the flow and the enjoyment of fellowship with the Lord. What kind of branch do you desire to be in the Vine?

As a believer in the Lord Jesus, what does it mean for us to abide in Him as branches in the Vine? John 15-1:5
Great Post Sandy! We have to stay connected to christ every day. A part of the Lord's prayer says "give us this day our daily bread". The key is that we must stay under the blood, day by day, hour by hour , moment by moment. We must pray without ceasing(ithessalonians 5:17). In other words we must constantly be in an attitude of prayer. we cannot let go of the hand of God. Staying connected to christ requires some spiritual discipline. The flesh doesn't desire the things of God, but the spirit cries out for God. Therefore there is this constant battle raging within all of us. We must subdue the flesh by spending time in God's word daily, praying and sharing our faith as opportunities arise. This will keep us wrapped up, tied up, and tangled up in Jesus. When this happens our faith will increase and our love will flow to and overflow and spill out on others around us.



Be bless.
Reply:We recognise that our sin and our old self was put to death n the cross and we have been raised to new life with Christ.



We see ourselves as united to Christ in heavenly places.



It is all about recognising our identity as Christians.
Reply:Hunny, I have to follow what Jesus taught and take His life as my example.



Not the OT and not what Paul wrote about him, but only His words as reported by those who knew Him.



And for me, this is all of it:



Matthew 22:35 Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying,

36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law?

37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

38 This is the first and great commandment.

39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.



As for fellowship, I did not find any fellowship in churches because I have never found a church that preached only that.



I found churches that preached worrying about how other poeple lived their lives. I found churches that preached the Law of the OT. I found churches that preached the exact opposite of loving your neighbor the way you would want to be loved, treating others as you would want to be treated.



I cannot stay in a church that preaches that others are bound for hell or that they are wrong to follow a religion other than that churches. If I don't want other people trying to turn me aside from my trying to follow Jesus, then I am not treating them the way I want to be treated if I try to turn them away from their understanding of God.



My nourishment comes from my actions, when I am folloiwng the teachings and lilfe example of Jesus, I am full fed. When I do not, I am cutting myself off from my spiritual food.
Reply:A narrow definition is the usual view, the letter that kills. The spirit is sometimes the broader view that brings life. In that spirit it is being in the flow of God and the universe or universal law. Harmony or peace in our lives indicates being in harmony with reality. The words of Jesus are the most powerful part of the scripture from the man who knew the most and always will. And he said, "Judge not.." Using only descriptive words is not only to not judge, but, in seeming contradiction, brings you better judgment. Like giving up or being willing to give up 'your' view of life gains life. "He who would give [dedicate] his life for me will gain it." He didn't mean just in the future, but will start gaining it in the moment and go from glory to glory. His words can be followed almost perfectly by using descriptive words only, instead of negative judgmental ones. You will see why if you try it. Descriptive words are also more accurate and the first step in a scientific investigation. "The spirit of truth leads you into all truth, even the deep things of God."

People don't like long answers so I'll just say that the other simple statements of Jesus, when carried out absolutely, get you the fruit of the spirit which you need to follow anything commanded. Without the spirit the word is dead and kills. Loving your enemies is mostly for you. One can't see straight when angry and if you even love your enemies that is almost perfect love, as what else is there to hate, not even yourself. Being in love is to be happy and in the flow. Applying His words, we flourish like a flower.
Reply:I think you are reallly worried about something you can't answer for everyone. Different things get in the way of the flow of God in our lives. For some it is certain activites or thoughts. You have to search yourself and find out what blocks your flow ...your connection with your loving father.
Reply:By prayer, helping and sharing, studying the Word of God.
Reply:it sounds like you know the answer.
Reply:I'll clear this all up for you!



All you need to do is remember that "god" is nothing more than a nonsense word made up by man to explain away the things we can't yet understand!
Reply:What an excellent question!



I remember a few years ago, when I first surrendered to Christ, this was one of the first studies I did. And learned that I am the branch, He is the vine, and I am grafted, I now draw my nourishment (hope, joy, needs, et al) from Him.



In time, I learned that we have to lift up the vine... for when it stays low to the ground...the branches stay in the dirt....good metaphor for my life at that time.



But ....like any other Bible study...we can come back and learn more.... I like how you remind us, that without some pruning, there can be no real growth. Not only do some branches wilt up and die, but the other branches don't blossom as fully as they can. I've learned that with my vegatable garden (especially cucumbers!)



Does that mean we should "prune" from the church? Perhaps. After all...if we have someone standing at the front of the church and he's telling us he has a new revelation from his god, that it's ok to accept this, or stop rejecting that...and it doesn't line up with Scripture..then maybe a little pruning won't hurt.



As for growing in Christ...you're right....what is there in our life that needs to be cut off, because it is keeping us from receiving all the Lord wants to give us, from getting back into the flow and the enjoyment.



Wow - excellent question!